This post is about the personal care products I have found tolerable for my MCAS. Everyone has different triggers, so these products may not work for you. So use this as a starting point to figure out which products you can tolerate.
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Table of Contents
Who is Betsy Leighton?
I’m a writer, blogger, and healer dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their innate peace and wholeness by healing nervous system dysregulation. My personal experience with chronic illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) shapes my work, and my content offers tools to empower those with chronic illness to improve their well-being and take charge of their health.
I created the Sacred Self-Healing Method and am a trained and certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider, an author, blogger, and A Course in Miracles Teacher. I hold a Master of Divinity in Spiritual Counseling and am a trained spiritual mentor, with certificates in sound healing, aromatherapy, nutrition, and Sacred Deathcare. I offer a self-study certificate program in the Sacred Self-Healing Method, provide spiritual counseling and coaching, courses, and supported subscriptions for the Safe and Sound Protocol.
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. It can cause severe, disabling symptoms every day, including potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
The common triggers for MCAS are infections, toxic exposures including mold exposure and EMFs, trauma, concussions, and stress.
MCAS often occurs with other chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Managing MCAS is challenging because many healthcare providers are unaware of it, and diagnostic tests can be unreliable. Treatments include antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers in the form of medications and supplements, along with avoiding triggers. Check out this post on managing MCAS.
Here are my recommended personal care products
Oral care
At the time I was diagnosed with MCAS, I was reacting to so many things that it was difficult to tell what triggers were causing my symptoms. I had been using topical essential oils to deal with pain, and when I started noticing a rash on my skin from them, I reluctantly stopped using them. The rashes stopped, but I continued in what I was calling at the time “symptom freefall.” I noticed I couldn’t tolerate being around essential oils AT ALL, including the very mild lemon flavor in the Tooth Powder I was using at the time (I had previously abandoned regular toothpaste as too strongly flavored in favor of toothpowder).
So first, I searched for an unflavored toothpowder, but when I couldn’t find one, I looked for a homemade toothpowder recipe to make my own. This is my recipe, and if you try it, I encourage you to start by making it without any essential oils. Use the powder for several days to ensure you tolerate the ingredients before tweaking the recipe.
Aside from brushing your teeth, if you are sensitive and want to eliminate any other possible oral-care-product triggers, you will want to switch to an unflavored dental floss and stop using any flavored oral rinses.
Essential oil safety
To use essential oils safely, dilute them before topical application, perform a patch test, and diffuse intermittently in a well-ventilated area. Never ingest essential oils unless specifically instructed by a qualified professional, and keep them out of reach of children and pets. Always store them in dark glass bottles, away from heat, light, and flames.
Topical use
Some essential oils are not meant to be used topically because they can cause sun sensitivity or dermatitis.
- Dilute first: Always mix essential oils with a carrier oil, such as almond, jojoba, or coconut oil, before applying to the skin, as they are highly concentrated.
- Perform a patch test: Before application, apply a small amount of the diluted oil to a patch of skin and wait to see if a reaction occurs.
- Avoid sunlight: Some oils, especially citrus, are photosensitive. Avoid sun exposure for at least 12 hours after applying them to your skin to prevent burns or discoloration.
- Store properly: Keep essential oils in tightly sealed, dark glass bottles in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage from light and heat.
Diffusion and inhalation
Some essential oils are not meant to be diffused because they will damage mucous membranes. To use essential oils safely, dilute them before topical application, perform a patch test, and diffuse intermittently in a well-ventilated area. Never ingest essential oils unless specifically instructed by a qualified professional, and keep them out of reach of children and pets. Always store them in dark glass bottles, away from heat, light, and flames.
- Check the label: Ensure the oil is labeled for aromatherapy or external use, as “for aromatherapy use only” indicates it’s suitable for diffusing.
- Avoid certain oils: Some oils are not recommended for diffusion because they can be irritating or neurotoxic. Examples of oils to avoid include Ceylon cinnamon, oregano, clove, wintergreen, hyssop, and sage.
General essential oil safety
- Keep out of reach: Store all essential oils in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not ingest: Never ingest essential oils unless under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about them.
- Know your product: Check the label for purity, the plant’s scientific name, and any warnings or contraindications.
- Consult a professional: When in doubt, consult an aromatherapy professional or your healthcare provider before use, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medication.
- Diffuse intermittently: Run your diffuser for 30-60 minutes on, then 30-60 minutes off, rather than continuously.
- Ensure ventilation: Use diffusers in well-ventilated rooms to prevent overexposure.
- Stop if uncomfortable: If you feel dizzy or uncomfortable while diffusing, stop immediately and get some fresh air.
- Avoid direct inhalation: Do not inhale essential oils directly from the bottle or diffuser for extended periods without a break.
How to look for high-quality essential oils
To ensure high-quality essential oils, look for transparent suppliers who provide detailed labeling and third-party test results. Purity and proper packaging are key indicators of a genuine, effective essential oil.
Key Indicators of Quality:
- Detailed Labeling: A quality essential oil label should list both the common name (e.g., “Lavender”) and the Latin botanical name (e.g., Lavandula angustifolia). It should also specify the country of origin, the part of the plant used, the extraction method (steam distilled or cold-pressed for citrus oils), and state that it is “100% pure essential oil”.
- Third-Party Testing: Reputable brands conduct independent, third-party testing, such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). These reports verify the oil’s chemical composition and purity, ensuring it is free from synthetic additives, pesticides, or other contaminants. Transparent companies make these batch-specific results available to consumers on their websites.
- Proper Packaging: High-quality essential oils are always sold in dark glass bottles (usually amber or cobalt blue) to protect them from light and heat, which can degrade the oil’s quality. Avoid oils in clear glass or plastic bottles.
- Reputable Supplier: Purchase from suppliers with a strong reputation for quality and ethical sourcing. They should be knowledgeable, willing to answer questions, and potentially members of professional bodies such as the Aromatherapy Trade Council (ATC).
- Appropriate Pricing: Extremely low prices can be a red flag, especially for oils that are expensive to produce (like rose or sandalwood). While price isn’t a sole indicator of quality, unusually cheap oils may be diluted or synthetic.
- Natural Aroma: A pure essential oil should have a complex, natural scent that matches the plant it came from, not a flat, artificial, or overly sweet smell like a perfume.
- Beware of marketing terms like “therapeutic grade” or “certified pure therapeutic grade,” as there are no standardized, regulated definitions for these terms within the industry. Focus on verifiable information and transparency instead.
Adding essential oils to personal care products
If you want to flavor your tooth powder or add fragrance to a lotion, you can add a high-quality essential oil. Start slow, adding one drop at a time and waiting three days after each adjustment to make sure you are tolerating the mixture.
And know that you can’t just use any essential oils for products you use internally. High-quality peppermint or clove is traditionally used orally. Some essential oils can burn your skin, and others can damage mucous membranes. Use caution and seek expert advice before choosing an essential oil for oral use.
Hair care
I can’t tolerate scented shampoos, herbal hair products, conditioners, or hair styling products. From a young age, I hated hair sprays, gels, and foams because my face would itch right away after using them. So, I’ve been in the habit of telling anyone cutting or styling my hair, “No products, please.” I am certain I’m in the minority with this preference because the hair professionals I’ve seen have had a hard time remembering that I was the “no products, please” gal.
Suppose you are trying to eliminate possible MCAS triggers. In that case, you will likely want to discontinue all hair care products and switch to a very gentle shampoo until you can identify your triggers. This is the only shampoo that works for me.
I’ve also tried the no ‘poo method for hair and scalp detoxing.
Some people with mast cell diseases develop scalp lesions that can be highly uncomfortable. I’ve added a little oral Cromolyn Sodium to my shampoo to alleviate scalp discomfort. Consult with your healthcare provider before mixing up any potions like this. When I’ve had scalp lesions, it’s also helped to stop wearing a ponytail, shampoo only once or twice a week, and focus on my mast cell stabilizers and antihistamines.
When I’m camping or otherwise don’t have access to a shower, I use homemade dry shampoo made with plain arrowroot powder in a shaker bottle. If you want to experiment with coloring homemade dry shampoo, you can use unsweetened cocoa powder, bentonite clay, or activated charcoal.
Facial care
Like my experience with hair care products, I’ve known since childhood that I couldn’t tolerate most makeup and skincare brands and regimens, and I can’t tolerate any essential oils.
I use this shampoo as both a facial soap and a body wash. My dermatologist suggested it because it is super mild and contains no botanicals.
For dry or chapped hands, I use plain shea butter. For winter body moisturizing, I use plain jojoba oil.
I use a small amount of plain castor oil as a moisturizer in the winter months, and in the summer, I mix it with an equal amount of jojoba oil for a lighter-weight moisturizer.
Makeup
I’m not a big makeup person to begin with, but I have tolerated the Well People mascara, this mineral makeup foundation and blush, and these eye shadows.
Deodorant
I’ve tried many “natural” deodorants and suffered rashes and irritation from almost all of them.
I use this unscented crystal deodorant when I travel. It comes in scented versions, but I am not able to tolerate them.
I use this deodorant every day. It’s fragrance-free, aluminum-free, and meant for sensitive skin.
Hand and body soap
The plainer the soap, the better in my experience. I use plain, unscented castile soap diluted with water in a liquid soap dispenser as hand soap. For showering, I use this shampoo as both a facial soap and a body wash.
Pain
I use this lotion for joint pain, and this cream for sprains, strains, muscle soreness, insect bites, bruises, burns, and skin irritation. See also this post on pain relief products and this post on dealing with pain.
Lymph drainage
I use Energetix homeopathic tones for drainage support, such as:
Drainage Tone supports detox pathways.
Lymph-Tone II assists with detoxing chronic issues.
Lymph-Tone III is helpful in detoxing issues due to hypersensitivities and neuropathy.
For manual lymph drainage, I use dry body brushing.
I also use organic castor oil on my belly at bedtime for detoxing.
Sun protection
Despite what you may have been taught about the dangers of the sun, you need exposure to natural sunlight for almost every biological function.
To limit exposure to sunlight, I don’t tolerate chemical sunscreens, so I primarily rely on lightweight protective clothing, hats, and shade to shield myself. Many people with MCAS experience rashes, hives, and systemic reactions when exposed to the sun, so I limit my time in direct sunlight. I also react to the heat of working out or gardening in the sun, so I try to garden or exercise in the early mornings and late evenings.
I make homemade full-spectrum sunscreen for my face, neck, and chest by mixing Badger 50 zinc sunscreen.
Misc.
I can’t tolerate facial enzyme exfoliants, so I rely on gentle exfoliation using a washcloth.
Epsom Salt baths are highly beneficial for many people with chronic illnesses. For detox baths, I use plain Epsom salts and baking soda. Start low and go slow, as detox baths can release toxins into your bloodstream and trigger mast cell activation.
Check out these circadian health tools!
I’m an affiliate with Bon Charge, a company that makes tools for circadian health, and you can receive 15% off your order with my coupon code BETSYL.
Bon Charge offers tools such as yellow– and red-tone blue-blocking glasses, red light therapy devices, PEMF mats, infrared saunas, and EMF-blocking products.
Sign up for the SSP!
I’ve found the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to be the most helpful bottom-up healing strategy if your nervous system has been overloaded with toxic exposures, including mold or non-native EMFs, chronic infections, concussions, stress, or trauma. The SSP is a passive listening therapy that helps heal nervous system dysregulation. Many people with MCAS and other chronic conditions have nervous system dysregulation stemming from infections, toxic exposures, concussions, and trauma. The SSP is an easy-to-use app that lets you listen to specially filtered music for 30 minutes each day as part of a 5-hour cycle. Studies show the SSP has a profound effect on mental health and chronic conditions. Here’s a short podcast describing the Safe and Sound Protocol.
You can sign up for the SSP here!
Heal your mind!
While the SSP is a bottom-up, somatic therapy for healing the nervous system, the Sacred Self-Healing Method I offer is a top-down nervous system-healing modality that focuses on cognition, attention, perception, and emotion, using the mind’s higher functions. The SSP and the Sacred Self-Healing Method complement each other and together produce lasting results. Here’s a short podcast on my self-healing practice.
I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching, as well as Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven, novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.
Order my books!
Here’s a short podcast highlighting my five books.
My latest book, Living In The Light: Healing with Forgiveness, Sound, and Light, is all about the tools that have been most helpful for me to heal: forgiveness, sound, through nervous system retraining using the Safe and Sound Protocol, and light, through entraining my circadian rhythm with the energy of the sun. Living In The Light is available here!
Rocks and Roots chronicles my solo backpacking journey on the Superior Hiking Trail and my efforts to overcome nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to complete the 328-mile hike successfully.
The Sacred Self-Healing Method ebook is available here and in most ebook retailers!
The Sacred Self-Healing Workbook is available for purchase here!
Betsy’s first book, Sacred Self-Healing: Finding Peace Through Forgiveness, is available here
Companion Recordings
The companion audio recordings of chants, guided meditations, and sound healing demonstrations that accompany the Sacred Self-Healing Method are available for free on my YouTube channel here
What do you think?
I’d love to have your reply below!
Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure, or treatment.
