Reducing Toxins

Remember, the information on my website, podcast, Instagram, and any other ways I communicate and/or produce content is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan for endometriosis or any other health problems. See my full disclaimer here.

The dose that makes the poison

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 and organizations out there – or even those with hidden agendas – that fear monger us into thinking we need to obsess over our products or food and avoid things that in actuality are just fine to consume or 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 extremely helpful until I learned that there’s some major criticisms with their organization, such as flawed methodologies and overstating the risks. While I still find some aspects of their website helpful, I’ve learned to be more skeptical overall of the information I consume and look for content from various sources before making decisions.

It’s important to have a balance because we can’t live in a bubble

When dealing with any aspect of our health, it’s important 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, the stress of which can then affect our mental and physical health. 

I never really thought about the ingredients in my skincare or cleaning 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”). 

• 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”.

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 vague, misleading claims companies put on their products for the marketing purposes to help sell it to you. 

My personal experience: reducing my number of products

I had to start changing and reducing my product use due to MCAS and the severe reactions I was having. While reading my own experience, don’t feel any pressure or stress to go down some unnecessary rabbit hole of looking at all your products! For me, it was a necessity to help improve my quality of life as I was having (and still have) immediate, severe reactions to many products.

Personal care and beauty products

When my MCAS first came on, I was in a constant reaction with severe symptoms, so I stopped using the majority of products, like face masks, deodorant, shaving cream, makeup, nail polish, hair dye.

• For 3 years, all I could use was shampoo, toothpaste, and an eyebrow pencil.
  • I had to experiment with several brands to find one that caused me less reactivity.
  • Chagrin Valley is my favorite for skincare products.
• 5 years after I got MCAS, I’ve been able to reintroduce deodorant, makeup, and face lotion.
  • It took over 6 months to find what products worked for me. I’m grateful to Ulta for allowing me to try so many free samples!

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.

Cleaning supplies

Fragrances really trigger me. I’ve stopped using all candles, air fresheners, odor-reducing sprays, essential oils, etc. Everything I use now is fragrance free.

Laundry soap: The ones I tried made from baking soda or with very few ingredients didn’t seem to clean my clothes, but that’s all my body could tolerate for 2 years. Thankfully, I’m able to use a  “normal” fragrance free laundry detergent now, but without using anything else like fabric softeners, dryer sheets, etc. 

Cleaning products: I use homemade cleaning supplies from baking soda and white vinegar for most cleaning, and fragrance free dish soap. Cleaning involves having good ventilation with the windows open and the air purifier on, wearing an N95 mask, and using rubber gloves to avoid touching the products.

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

What products do I actually need?

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

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

For example, it was easy to replace my shampoo or cleaning supplies, but not my deodorant (every natural deodorant I tried either didn’t work or caused me a reaction).

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 a product 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 us to decide what is most important, knowing that it’s impossible to eliminate all exposure to “toxins” in our life or to products that flare us 

Unfortunately, when I began having anaphylaxis from MCAS, I had to change all my products pretty immediately. It was extremely overwhelming and I don’t recommend it.

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 and 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, or something more impactful.

Here are some common places people start