Reducing toxins

It’s true that some chemicals we are exposed to daily are endocrine disruptors and may affect our health. That being said, it’s the dose that makes the poison. There are many uninformed influencers/organizations out there – or even those with hidden agendas – that fear monger us into thinking we need to obsess over our products/food and avoid things that in actuality are just fine to consume/use. It’s really important that we are following the right people when trying to learn about this topic so that we aren’t absorbing information we think is credible when in reality it isn’t. For example, I used to think the Environmental Working Group was a trustworthy site informing me of the “real” science, until I learned that the EWG has major criticisms: inaccurate research methods, exaggerating health risks, and that they are mostly funded by companies that their shopping recommendations help. Yikes!

Additionally, like when dealing with any aspect of our health, it’s important to have a balance and not get too obsessive or worried about being completely “toxin-free” (not possible!). It can be a slippery slope to shift from trying to be a responsible consumer with our products to being overly concerned about our products, the stress of which can then affect our mental and physical health. 

I never really thought about the ingredients in my skincare/cleaning etc products until I got Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Then I began to break out in hives after shampooing my hair, my throat would close while cleaning the bathroom, and I’d get a migraine from brushing my teeth. So I’ve been on an unfortunate adventure to really reduce my exposure to products that negatively impact my MCAS (and not because I’ve been told by any working group or influencer that they are “toxic” or “unsafe”). Since this is overall a website about endometriosis, I just want to be clear that if I didn’t have MCAS, I personally wouldn’t be so hardcore and serious about using as few products as possible. I would use my time and energy elsewhere, but the reason why I do this is because of my MCAS (and not because of my endometriosis). By taking such care with my products, it’s helped my MCAS reactions greatly diminish.

Some people look into their products because they have reactions to them, like I do. Others do because they want to use vegan products or those that haven’t been tested on animals. Others because they are concerned about the safety of their products. For this last one, as I said above, we really need to be careful of who is informing us of what’s “unsafe”.

This is just general info on what has helped me when dealing with MCAS and reactions to products, but what you do is individual so don’t feel any pressure or stress to go down some unnecessary rabbit hole of looking at all your products!

Marketing terms

It’s important to know that there are some terms like “natural” and “clean” and others are unregulated and without meaning. These are misleading claims companies put on their products for the marketing purposes to help sell it to you. 

Reducing my number of products

Personal care and beauty products

Since I have a MCAS reaction to so many products, I’ve found it easiest to just stop using the majority of products, like face masks, deodorant, shaving cream, makeup, nail polish, hair dye. If I do need it – like shampoo, toothpaste, an eyebrow pencil – I’ve been swapping it out for different brands that cause me less reactivity. Chagrin Valley is my favorite for skincare products. Or I’ll use a product with one simple ingredient, like I now use coconut oil for lotion and conditioner, and on a cotton ball to remove my makeup. I still react to this but less than from actual lotion. Needing less products allows me to spend more money on the few products I do buy, which is helpful because the products I use now tend to be more expensive than the previous ones I used!

Was it hard to go from using all these beauty products my whole life to no longer using them? Yup, it was. I was especially bitter at removing nail polish and hair dye. But as time passed, I’ve embraced it, and also found it freeing to not have a super long beauty routine anymore or have to upkeep my nails or roots. Plus it’s nice not to have my bathroom shelves overflowing with products.

Some of the more (what’s commonly considered by the general public as) “natural” products I’ve found work just as well, like certain shampoo bars. But there are others that just don’t work for me. I’ve tried multiple deodorants made from ingredients like shea butter, cornstarch, beeswax, baking soda, clay, tapioca starch, and/or crystal, etc. I’m still stinky on them, so I’ve just chosen to go forgo using deodorant on most days because why use something that isn’t working? When I’m at home, I don’t use it, but if I have somewhere important to go, I’ll use a “regular” deodorant right before I leave the house and wash off as soon as I get home.

Cleaning supplies

I haven’t had luck with “natural” laundry soap. The ones I tried made from baking soda or with very few ingredients didn’t seem to clean my clothes. So I do use a “regular” fragrance free laundry detergent, but without using anything else like fabric softeners, dryer sheets, etc. My mast cells are stable enough now that I don’t think my laundry detergent is contributing to my reactions anymore either.

I buy everything fragrance free, because I’ve found that fragrances really trigger me. I’ve stopped using all candles, air fresheners, odor-reducing sprays, etc. I’ve also stopped diffusing essential oils as well.

I’ve  been making homemade cleaning supplies from baking soda/white vinegar, and I use a bleach-free/clorox-free multipurpose spray only for the toilet and shower, which I spray with the windows open and wearing an N95 mask. I use dish gloves to clean as well as wash the dishes to avoid contact with soap. Soaps do trigger me, so I carry around hand sanitizer to avoid using bathroom soaps when in public.

For me, it’s come down to a balance of:

What products do I need and don’t actually need?

For example, I (personally) don’t need hair dye, mascara or nail polish even though I would love to use them.

Is the product easy to replace with another product that causes me less reactions?

For example, it’s easy to replace my shampoo or cleaning supplies, but not my deodorant or laundry detergent.

Deciding priorities

For me, I’m fine with putting up with the stench of my armpits in summer and not using deodorant 90% of the time, in order to reduce my exposure to products that flare me.

Are there ways I can reduce the product’s impact on me?

For example, I use a mask when I scoop my cat’s litter and clean the house. I wear gloves to clean the dishes.

Ultimately, it’s up to all of us to decide what is most important to us, knowing that it’s impossible to eliminate all exposure to “toxins” in our life or to all exposure of products that may flare us (in cases of MCAS, chemical sensitivity, etc).

Unfortunately, when I began having anaphylaxis from MCAS, I had to change all my products pretty immediately. However, most people focus on replacing current products they have with different products once they run out. This reduces waste and saves money. Additionally, researching about products can be exhausting and easier to do one-by-one rather than all at once. We have limited energy, time, and money, so know that depending on your body/situation, changing your products may reduce certain symptoms, but it also may not. If that’s the case, then that energy may be better spent focusing on how to eat a more nutrient dense diet, doing pelvic floor therapy, seeking out an excision surgeon, etc.

Here are some common places people start: