I have been trying and testing the most cost-effective non-toxic, biodegradable personal care products for those sensitive to chemicals.
I started with a more DIY approach, but in time I found ready-made products I liked more and were easier than making things myself.
Here is what I use and recommend now.
This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
SOAP
Pure Castile or glycerine soap for hands and body are the simplest options.
I don’t always feel like glycerin soap gets the cleanest clean though, so I use Tom’s Unscented Soap.
And for removing toxins from the skin I love this charcoal soap.
FACEWASH
I wash my face using the oil cleansing method (for acne-prone skin) or the soaps above.
For cleaning up between showers you could wipe your face with a Microfiber Face Cloth.
MOISTURISER
For my face and body, I use Sweet Almond Oil or Argan oil (which is pricier than almond oil).
Both almond oil and argan oil have a natural very light scent.
I recently tried Rose Hip Oil which is supposed to be very good for preventing acne. I really liked how it made my skin look.
It was the most luxurious of the three oils and I was really happy with that brand.
I also now use Jojobo oil which is really nice as it is closest to the natural oils of the skin.
It’s affordable and you only need a very small amount. It works well to smooth the hair as well.
SHAMPOO
I used Desert Essence – Fragrance-Free shampoo for years when I was very sensitive.
Some people prefer how Jason brand (fragrance-free) makes their hair feel.
AFM also makes a shampoo and body wash specifically for the chemically sensitive.
All three options are formaldehyde-free and free of balsam of Peru.
I also tried the “no poo” method! Which is baking soda and a rinse of apple cider vinegar. It works!
CONDITIONER
I used Desert Essence Conditioner – Fragrance-Free when I was super sensitive. Not all super-sensitive people do well with this. There is a light natural odor to it.
Honest Company fragrance-free conditioner is what I use now.
I use this fragrance-free detangler which I was so excited to find.
For African hair types, coconut oil can be added to conditioner, argan oil can be used after shampooing, and Jamaican Black Castor Oil can be used as a sealant.
BODY SCRUB & SHAVING CREAM
Mix olive oil with brown sugar to make a simple exfoliating face or body scrub.
I also sometimes mix baking soda into my liquid face wash, that works well too.
I wash with soap after exfoliating or you can rinse the sugar off with water and then use the oil as a shaving “cream.”
If you prefer a lathering shaving cream, try this all-natural recipe or just use soap.
LIP BALM
A simple, cheap, and very effective lip balm can be made with two ingredients: beeswax and almond oil.
My go-to ready-made lip balm (with simple ingredients that don’t dry out your lips) is Bert’s Bees with Shea Butter.
For a scent-free balm try this one.
TOOTHPASTE
One of the cleanest brands out there is Dr Bronner’s toothpaste, which is fluoride-free and comes in anise, peppermint, spearmint, and cinnamon. I used this for quite a while but without fluoride my teeth deteriorated.
I have now tested other brands and have reviews on Toms, Hello, and Burt’s Bees.
Flavor-free and fluoride-free brands include Cleure and Jack N Jill. They have very clean ingredients and are also free of balsam of Peru.
These biodegradable bamboo brushes are on my wish list.
DEODORANTS/AntiPersPerant
The point of the “natural” brands of deodorant is to get away from ingredients like aluminum.
Magnesium like aluminum acts as an antiperspirant and so can work really well.
Another key ingredient that works well in natural deodorants is baking soda, as long as your skin isn’t sensitive to it. It changes the pH level which discourages bacteria from growing (and seriously works alongside magnesium).
Native Deodorant is a popular brand that has a fragrance-free version which contains coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda (or they have a non-baking soda option for sensitive skin), and magnesium hydroxide. I have tested it and it works fairly well. Some lines also contain cyclodextrin.
A great Canadian brand (also sold in the US) is Routine (which I use over magnesium oil, and I review here), their deodorant is made from magnesium, baking soda (or a non-baking soda option), kaolin clay, and antibacterial essential oils.
The best simple solution I have found is this magnesium oil, which is magnesium chloride. This really works, and I’m smelly. Though I do layer a deodorant with baking soda over this for complete protection.
Another route to go is with alpha hydroxy acids or glycolic acids, they make the area less hospitable to bacteria by changing the pH and other conditions. Lume uses this technology, and they have a scent-free option. (It works, I tried it but I don’t like that it has caffeine).
The Doctorly doctors also recommend washing with a 4% benzoyl peroxide cleanser (this one is fragrance-free), which kills bacteria.
LAUNDRY
Some favorite laundry detergents for the chemically sensitive are BioKleen liquid free and clear, Charlie’s powder, ECOS laundry detergent, Meliora, Nellie’s, and Branch Basics.
Eco Nuts Soap (soap nuts) might be an option if you do well with their natural scent. Many do well with soap nuts and some can’t tolerate the scent.
A non-toxic soap that is appropriate for washing down jackets and down sleeping bags is pure soap flakes.
There are some non-toxic options for Fabric Softener, Dryer Sheets, and Chlorine-Free Bleach.
Or try these cool chemical-free, reusable Dryer Balls to reduce energy bills and soften fabric.
NATURAL SUNSCREEN
I use and really like Badger Sunscreen which comes recommended by many people who are super sensitive.
It has simple ingredients, is fragrance-free, and uses non-nano zinc oxide.
STYLING PRODUCTS
Non-toxic, scent-free styling products are only just starting to become available when I first wrote this article, but now there are a tonne of options.
I use this to help my hair hold curls.
For black hair, try Honey Fig shop. For various hair types, Moroccan Method uses simple, pure ingredients and offers free shipping across Canada.
For homemade recipes try this natural orange juice hairspray.
A simple solution for hair serum is either glycerin which de-frizzes, and is my go-to hair product, or Jojoba oil.
MAKEUP
For “chemical-free” makeup try The Honest Company.
I used to use Marcelle Brand, it can be found on Amazon and at most drugstores, but now there are so many fragrance-free brands and many “clean” brands to check out.
Note that natural pigments inherently contain metals from the earth.
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS & BIRTH CONTROL
While many companies will be willing to sell you pesticide-free and chlorine-free Tampons and Pads, those items are so wasteful and expensive compared to menstrual cups.
Menstrual Cups, made of silicone, are convenient and save you tonnes of money.
For birth control, safer options include latex-free and spermicide-free polyurethane condoms (scent-free).
HAIR DYE
To lighten my hair I use hydrogen peroxide. Just the kind you get from the drugstore. It does create a chemical reaction with the hair that has a bit of a strange smell, but it doesn’t last.
I have used red henna over this to get a brighter and lighter color than I would have over my dark brown hair.
Henna has a very earthy smell which comes from the plants that are used to make it. You should test it first to see if you do well with that smell.
To cover grey, you should use pure red henna (Lawsonia Inermis) first, then 3 days later follow that up with the color of your choice (I use dark brown).
I use them to dye my eyelashes too.
I have looked deeply into the salon-brand hair dyes here. None of the permanent ones are totally non-toxic.
I would first suggest trying pure henna or other henna or plant-based dyes like Hairprint or Palette by Nature before the semi-permanent salon brands and lastly, consider the permanent.
NAIL POLISH
I use Zoya which has less toxic solvents.
It has a strongish chemical smell when wet (but not as bad as the typical brands) but once it’s dry (about 20 minutes) I find it to totally benign.
My new favorite when I was sensitive was Sophi which I find to be almost odorless when wet, much better than Zoya. But in my testing in 2025 it didn’t hold up.
I review and compare the most non-toxic brands here.
SELF TANNER
I have looked into a lot of the natural self-tanners out there.
Almost all of them contain DHA. It may be naturally derived, but this ingredient may not be safe.
This one by Haut Cosmetics is truly safe and natural. It’s expensive though!
ACNE CREAMS
Some people have reported amazing results with rosehip oil and charcoal soap.
I like those products a lot but they didn’t help my acne until I fixed my hormone levels.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Katie Ripper
Thank you so very much for all your work testing products and disseminating the information. Unfortunately when you updated this section of your site, you missed the Canadian government’s March 2024 issuance of its fine of $500,000 against the Groupe Marcelle inc for not disclosing use of a PFAS in some of its products. Many online commenters indicated they wouldn’t abandon the brand over this, but I can’t start using its products since the company markets itself as having ‘clean’ products:
“Our internal skin research lab carefully selects exactly what we put in our formulas, and importantly what we do not, drawing on our 150 years of expertise in skin science and skin health. So you can be confident our formulas will give you exactly what your skin needs, and nothing it doesn’t.” AND
“Clean, simple yet innovative skin care is at the core of Marcelle; it’s a testament to our rich history of caring. For us, clean isn’t just a passing trend–it’s a philosophy for formulating cosmetics rooted in science, trust, transparency, and safety.” [https://marcelle.us/pages/notre-histoire, accessed Feb 8, 2026]
There’s no excuse for the ingredient’s inclusion and certainly no excuse for not being compliant when the company’s been in business for 150 years.
PZ
I am a very long-time user of all of the following.
Have you tried the Free and Clear brand? I’ve been using their shampoo, conditioner, cleansers, sunscreens, etc for 30+ years. Love them! The shampoo cured my husband’s dandruff. YAY! They have a FULL line of personal care products: hair gel, hair spray, face wash, gentle shower wash, hand/body wash, deodorants, lotions, sunscreens, etc., etc. This brand is well worth investigating.
I use Clinique for my face. Pricey but lasts and makes my face its best.
For exfoliating, I use textured gloves. I got my first pair from Dollar Tree
My laundry detergent is by Ecology Works.
Favorite cleaning products are Basic-H and Basic-G from Shaklee, along with Seventh Generation products.
For toilets I use a combination of baking soda, citric acid, cleaning vinegar, and tea tree oil. I have a nice scrubber that very easily reaches everywhere. Don’t remember name, but got it on Amazon. Then I use a flat wire (screen-like) scrubber for the last of the lime, which comes off pretty easily after soaking in the cocktail above. (Found these ideas online.)
PZ
Forgot to mention I’ve been battling multiple chemical, sensitivities and fibromyalgia the last30 years.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thanks for sharing PZ!
Erin
Hello, I was wondering if you have reviews of period underwear
I need to buy for my teen daughter. I have read other reviews of them, but I follow you and your research, and just would feel more confident with your knowledge then any others I read. Thank you for sharing and helping me do the best I can for my daughter.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
no i haven’t reviewed period underwear but I would look at mamavation site bc she tests for PFAS and that is the main concern there
MM
I’d recommend Revol Cares for period underwear! It’s OEKO-TEX certified/PFAS free. I’ve transitioned into it (from traditional pads/tampons) over the past few months and can vouch for its absorbency and quality!
Wendy Fall
do you think there is an issue with the rosehip oil. it says it is certified organic however they do not have the seal. I contacted them and they just replied it is organic. Hmmm?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
sukin i believe is a very reputable brand. i recently bought the cliganic brand though which i liked.
henry BYRNE
do you know of kitchen spray type cleaner ceramic etc without harm to eyes
AND
LIGHT IN TEXTURE AND HAIR FINISH MOUSE ETC SENSITIVE
Thank you
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
kitchen cleaners are in an article on cleaning products for the chemically sensitive, I have not really looked into mouse but there are way more good brands now then when i first wrote this
Melanie
After toxic mold, my entire family developed some level of chemical sensitivity. We also developed numerous allergies that were only caught by an environmental doc who used specialized in house alergy testing. Sometimes one thing will be ok for one of us and not the other. but here is some things we have found that’s ok for all us. My environmental doc works with a lot of chemical sensitive patients and has a list for the too things that go well for most. one common thing on his entire list is fragrance free or low scent. We’ve found this tends to be true for us too as I started migrating to fragrance free before I found him. The reasoning is even natural products have VOCs. EOs have VOCs. All VOCs tend to be a problem for us after toxic mold. It was off as we used all natural products before the sensitivity came into play. I am master herbalist on top of that so it really made me scratch my head. I had stashes of EO that I’ve had to just toss bc just opening the drawer makes us queasy and not feel well. Long story short, VOCs still need to go through detox pathways. it’s not that they are harmful but the fact our bodies are clogged. Formaldehyde also is a BIG one for all of us. Anyways, here our list that has been ok for the entire fam. Some of us have diff needs or even preferences so gives a more extensive list than just one person.
SOAPS
-Canus Goats milk bar soap, fragrance free (we use for body soap, face soap as its moisturizing ans also wirks amazinf for a stain remover on clothes)
-Kirks bar soap fragrance free
-Field & Future dish soap, fragrance free (this was seriosuly one of the biggest challenges for us was to find a dish soap that didn’t bother the entire fam. one would be ok for one of us, then not ok for the other. This is HEB brand so if you not in Texas, you won’t be able to find.)
-ECOS fragrance free and lavender laundry detergent (almost all lavender products borher me but this one is an exception)
-Citrisafe mold laundry detergent (similar to EC3 except it’s a detergent and not just an additive. identical ingredients)
-EC3 laundry additive
-Nellies laundry (I used this in mold for a good while until end but didn’t try this after mold. I see it on the list so adding as well. lots of my list we were using prior so I wonder if we weren’t semi chemical sensitive then)
HAIR PRODUCTS
-Mill Creek shampoo and condition (low scent)
-honest company shampoo/conditioner
– Coconut CoWash (low scent, great for curly hair that doesn’t like protein)
-Sally’s conditioning balm (great for curly hair that needs loads of
-Giovanni Tea Tree Oil shampoo and conditioner (this is stronger smelling but it seems ok for us all. it is clarifying so we only use if we get into mold or every once in a while for a clarifier)
-Deaert Essence, fragrance free shampoo and conditioner
-Vanicream shampoo, conditioner, gel
-Jessicurls products, fragrance free. all of them are ok for us if using fragrance free
-argan oil (hair serum/skin)
-jojoba oil (hair serum/skin)
-Vitamin E oil (hair serum or even if skin has dry areas)
-homemade flaxseed hair gel (we freeze in cubes when we make as is does go rancid in about a week in fridge.)
DEODERANTS
-Crystal Deodorant stick (this one doesn’t bother us but also don’t feel it works well)
-Nutribiotic deodorant, fragrance free (this one works the best imo. really cuts through smells. also interestjng has grape seed extract which is antimicrobial)
– TOMS, fragrance free (only oldest uses. it bother some of the fam if used personally but not when she uses on herself)
PERFUME..ish lol
-Rosewater… we can not do EOs other than Tea Tree Oil but this is fine. it’s more of a hydrosol. also works amazing for sunburns or burns, facial toner. I wonder if hydrosols would be ok for us on smells but haven’t cared enough to venture out.
MAKEUP
still hunting for some for us. most of the natural ones still have smells using EOs and EOs really bother me.
-honest eyeshadow (daughter only. I think for me, it’s allergy related as it makes my eyes water/itch )
-Burts Bees lip sticks/balm (the smell of this one is very irritating to me on. oldest is only one who uses this one)
-Sephora toxic free line, eyeshadow (I haven’t tried this one yet. KOHLS Sonoma clothing line and their bedding that’s oeko tex is always a win for all of us but we order online so we don’t smell the stinky Sephora perfumes)
Think I’m forgetting items but that’s a pretty long list haha. hope it helps someone out
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thank you
Courtney
I don’t have MCS, but I found Badger on my own at looked at the ingredients individually, only to find out that MCS tolerate it. Just trying to reduce my toxin exposure.
If the Badger sunscreen linked above is unavailable (which it was at the time of this writing), this one is the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/Badger-Sunscreen-Unscented-Resistant-Ingredients/dp/B08Y9B73QB?psc=1
From description online: (Just 4 Ingredients: Uncoated Clear Zinc Oxide, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Sunflower Vitamin E (98% Organic & Certified Non-GMO))
It has ingredients rated by EWG as 1 safety rating and at least limited data (limited being Beeswax)
Corinne Segura
thanks i actually have purchased both those versions and i updated the post
Amy
Thank you for this topic and I appreciate the time it took to share! Some of these products I use or have tried and some I will have to explore more.
I am not only sensitive (MCS) to fragrances, but have also been diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis if I encounter. This includes essential oils, such as lavender, jasmine, citronella, tea tree, etc. Another sneaky ingredient that I’m allergic to is balsam of peru. It’s a fragrant resinous liquid harvested from trees grown in Central America and although not commonly used, can still be found as a fragrance, flavoring agent in foods or antibacterial ingredient.
I have found a few fragrance-free, balsam of peru-free and essential oil-free products that I can tolerate and I’ll share here for others it may help.
Laundry:
Soap Nuts or Berries – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DU4XPY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I purchase the USDA Organic Soap Nuts on Amazon. The soap nuts do not have a smell until activated in warm water and I actually love the vinegary smell. My clothing comes out smelling clean with ZERO scent! It’s also cost effective as I boil it down to make a liquid which can also be used in the laundry, for household cleaning, insect repellent, body/hair wash, and because they are biodegradable, I toss the spent ones in my plant pots and in my garden. Note: The brand mentioned in this post is no longer available.
NOTE: I use to use Branch Basics in my laundry, but my laundry was not smelling clean and it was very costly.
Wool Dryer Balls – Branch Basics sells a great set of 3 organic wool dryer balls
Oxygen Boost – https://branchbasics.com/products/oxygen-boost I use a scoop in the drum of my HE washer as a bleach alternative. It also works great as a stain remover and removing odors!
Dish Soap and Hand Wash: Branch Basics – https://branchbasics.com/products/dishwasher-tablets and https://branchbasics.com/products/the-concentrate I mix the concentrate in foamer bottles: https://branchbasics.com/products/foaming-wash-bottle?variant=42907777040548 I have also used as a body wash and my husband likes to shave with the foaming dilution.
Deodorant: I really like the Unscented deodorant from Bubble & Bee! https://bubbleandbee.com/unscented-pit-putty-cream/ Stephanie started her small business specializing in natural/organic deodorants. The Unscented contains some baking soda (which can irritate some people in high quantities) but mostly arrowroot powder along with organic shea butter, organic sunflower oil, and non-nano zinc. That’s it! I find this combo to be soothing under my arm and does a great job to keep me odor-free too! For those with challenging body odor, you could try the Unscented Pit Primer before applying the deodorant or anywhere on the body to fight odor: https://bubbleandbee.com/pit-primer-1/
*Note: She also has a great Unscented Shower Gel (great for washing hair too), Body Butter (does contain macademia nut oil), lip balm and Soap (the glycerin is from USP grade coconut/sunflower/flax). Stephanie is very transparent and has always answered any questions I may have had regarding her products.
Skin care/Body care: Bubble and Bee or currently I’m trying Osmia’s Unscented and Essential Oil Free products – https://osmiaskincare.com/collections/unscented Unfortunately, I can’t use the lip balm since it contains lavender (my allergen) and there is citric acid (someone metioned they were allergic) in the Toner and Handcream. I like to use the Oh So Soap to wash my short hair.
Note: I’m looking now into Unscented soap and body butter made from tallow!
Toothpaste: This is one where I’ve had trouble finding for my sensitive teeth. Currently, I’m trying Bubble and Bee’s toothpaste in Spearmint: https://bubbleandbee.com/natural-toothpaste/ The spearmint is still an essential oil, but one I am not allergic to. It’s been difficult finding a flavorless toothpaste! Risewell has one I may try: https://risewell.com/products/mineral-toothpaste-flavorless Although, I’m not a fan of the Propanediol listed in the ingredients.
I hope this helps someone and to note that I am NOT affiliated with any of the companies I have mentioned.
Korina Allen
I am SUPER chemically intolerant. I cannot use any of the popular DIY cleansers, including baking soda or apple cider vinegar. I’m even intolerant of natural soaps, like Dr. Bronners. So, needless to say, I have a real problem trying to find a decent alternative to deodorant. I’m looking for something natural I can use. It can’t be online, causes chances are, I am intolerant to that too, and I don’t want the hassle of returning it. I’m seeing oatmeal as a way to dry up oil that causes the bacteria hard to rinse with just water, cause that’s what I’m down to; water alone just doesn’t cut it. Does it work?Everything I try just ends up as another dead end. (No I can’t use lemon, either.) Needless to say, I an beyond frustrated. I hate body odor and here I am struggling with it.
Corinne
if you can tolerate magnesium spray that would be the best. There’s no way around trying multiple brands when severely sensitive. You may want to buy pure flakes and mix it yourself.
Lisa
Have you tried Thai crystal deodorant stone?
Cynthia Kerfoot
I found that using colloidal silver works really well for my MCS. I get mine at Purest Colloids.
Kay Lindstrom
Is there a hairspray for chemically- sensitive people?
Thank you
Courtney
https://www.reddit.com/r/ChemicalSensitivities/comments/111n0qs/does_anyone_have_any_suggestions_on_hairspray_it/
https://us.amazon.com/product-reviews/B000VUWOAI/ (found by doing this: https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aamazon.com+%22multiple+chemical+sensitivity%22+%22filter%22🙂
Sandy
It is good to find more ideas though the brands I have tried that you have listed caused me problems I have not tried all that you have on the list. I have decided to post my own list just in case there are people like me out there that are desperate enough to read down this far. At one point I was that desperate and it has taken years of trial and error wasted searching and trying products that failed me to get to a fairly stable place. I hope to save others that same sort of hassle and frustration.
Laundry Simply Clean Laundry soap when I found this a few years back I read it was made by a man who’s kids have mcs. This is the best laundry detergent I have found when you find it in stock load up they tend to have production problems so after your first try and see shop load up.
I use the same brand of dish washing soap to hand washing dishes I water it down as it is pricey leave some full strength for big jobs. Also use it for cleaning mix it with baking soda and vinegar in a spray bottle for tubs and any other place you would use general purpose cleaners. With hot water and vinegar for floors … I sprinkle baking soda on bad spots that need scrubbing or put the soda down first and spray with vinegar… which releases oxygen good for bad smells like the garbage pail.
Deodorant baking soda sometimes with vinegar but generally not and on special occasions pit putty I tried them all in sample size and settled on the charcoal best of the best.
Now for my latest and fav to date bambo nature bath buddy made for babies but it works great on as shampoo and show bath soap. As I live in Canada and can’t find it on a stable basis here yet I have been ordering from bambonature.usa it is a bit slow coming but well worth the wait.
Wool dryer balls though I don’t always use them as I got use to a few wrinkles better then being sick in my book. I will never use a dryer sheet or fabric softener again.
I did try the soap buds from eco and they worked ok the smell was a bit much but tolerable when I could not get them I tried a different soap bud really made me sick that was before I found simple clean laundry detergent… as long as they make simple clean I will be using it not switching.
Laundry soap dish soap I use a couple other things from this company like stain remover ect but don’t need to buy them all the time this is a link that shows the places you can buy these products. There are a few stores that sell them online like well.ca and healthy planet as well as Amazon sometimes… there are always the health food stores you may be lucky and have one close to you. The first time I used simply clean I bought it at a health food store that is now closed 🙁
when they are out online I have spent hours calling most of these stores and travelling to buy laundry soap only other mcs people would understand this.
Wipes were the first product I used from bambo nature I had been using a similar product this one blew it out of the water I wipe my eyes with this one and no reaction at all… says a lot for other sensitive body parts.
From there I went on to try bath buddy hair and body wash LOVED this product still love it. I tried a few other of their products since shampoo was a no…. for me. I tried 3 of the moisture products and why not I thought I had found a winner out of the three only one was suitable for me and I have only used it the one time I am sure when the dry skin of winter comes I will give a better test drive.
So that is it for me I hope it saves you some time and money and frustration.
well.ca is suppose to get all of these products in stock may well have them by now.
I have no connection to any product line other than being a MCS consumer with specific needs.
I can get this product for 3$ less at bambonatureusa.com but the don’t seem to have it in stock just now. I would not be surprised to find once you try to order if from this place it comes up empty.
I find this is a problem with a lot of the product I need so when I find them I buy as many as I can afford.
I think I used the wrong name for the deodorant it is this one it detoxes
sorry for any mistakes dealing with MCS brain fog as usual… add my brain fog to the readers brain fog I wonder what the outcome will be … wishing you all well.
https://www.amazon.com/PACK-Primal-Charcoal-Magnesium-Deodorant/product-reviews/B07D9X33VB?reviewerType=all_reviews
Corinne
Thanks for sharing your experience Sandy, I hope it can help others! At that level of sensitivity, you are still tolerating quite a few normal ingredients so you’re not in the most extreme category but at that level most people have to try many many brands to find what works. I removed a couple of the links from your comment because the bamboo link was an affiliate link. I don’t know if it was your link or you might have just grabbed the link off of a blog by mistake, but just to let you know
Jennifer
I haven’t found anything I can use. Any kind of liquid soap burns my ears, makes my nose run and makes my lungs feel like I burned in fire. I am sure there is a cause but I cannot figure it out and feel like I’m going crazy. Even ECOS dish liquid does it too. Any thoughts or recommendations?
Shelley Petit
Thanks for this….
A couple suggestions…for soap, contact Canary Whiskers. This is a small home business in the US developed by a fellow canary who struggled to find truly safe soaps for extremely sensitive canaries ( I’m one such person, and would not be able to tolerate many of your recommendations). They will even send you trials bars to see which you prefer. This company is also starting an education on mcs program with soap purchase ( I have no association with this company, except to have chatted on FB with owner a few times).
Also, would you review and consider removing 7th generation from reccomended products- they were bought out by Unilever several years ago and since changed their formula and is no longer safe for canaries. ( even those who can tolerate it are adding to their toxic load)
Jennifer
Thank you! 7th Generation is one of the worst products for me, I can’t even have it in my house.
Susan Vavak
I love the Innersense haircare line. It has no bad stuff in it, and it makes my hair shiny and healthy. You can purchase it on Amazon or through their website.
Jennifer
Does it have a scent?
Cade
No way on the first hand sanitizer that contains "Benzalkonium chloride" as its active ingredient. You should use something like "Aquavert Multi-Purpose Sanitizer" which uses Hypochlorous Acid(HOCL) made from salt water and electricity. It's 100 times stronger than bleach, too.
Ellen Kitchin
Myself and my two daughters have had good results using the all natural deodorant Lavanilla . It does have a pretty scent from essential oils and they have a few to choose from .
I just came across your site and I'm so excited because my daughter has started having anaphylaxis attacks to we think formaldehyde . She can't have any contact with perfumes and she's had reactions going to look at flooring with me . I'm now searching for flooring for our home that is safe for her . Thank you for everything you do to help people like us .
Corinne
I'm glad the site is of help to you and your daughter.
Jessica Verghese
Good read! I came to know about different natural solution for skin care from your blog post. I too use coconut oil as a natural conditioner, forskin care I always use herbal products from Cosmic Nutracos. They are 100% natural and cause no side effects on skin.
Elizabeth J. Neal
Body Mint is a natural deodorant alternative dervied from natural chlorophyll that minimizes breath, underarm, foot & body odors. Works for both Men & Women. http://bodymint.com/products/body-mint/
Anonymous
Corinne:I saw your article on fb – "Woman builds herself a gorgeous, tiny, healthy, 'chemical free' house," TreeHugger, Lloyd Alter, 2014.08.12 posted by Tiny Green Cabins. One of the terms Mr. Alter used was "other auto-immune illnesses." Actually, these are classified as diseases. However, I'm a diabetic; diabetes is an auto-immune disease. I posed a comment on fb, "Why cannot we build w/ this in mind for all to help prevent "diseases" pre-emptoriarly?I'd love to "pick-your-brain" on the 'chemical free' house subj., If I may please? Txs. (;>} dCbDavid C. Burdick<br
Kitty
Holy cow, it's so refreshing to meet another Canary! I'm looking into building a tiny house in the future, and I love yours! I use a lot of Tropical Traditions products. I use their soap with a vinegar rinse for a shampoo/conditioner (I have a citric acid allergy so it's almost the only soap I can use). I'm so excited to have found your blog!
Jennifer
How did you discover the citric acid allergy?
Elle
I’ve realized I might be allergic to citric acid in food. I believe it’s derived from mold when used as a good additive and I am DEFINITELY sensitive to mold.
Elle
Edit: **food additive**
Lisa
I high percentage of citric acid is derived from corn., and it is produced in China. I have a high intolerance to anything with corn in it.
Horsepower
You may also want to try Shep’s Wool Dryer Balls. They are placed in your dryer to soften clothes. Never use Chemical fabric softeners again on your laundry (and skin)! I am sure your readers would love to hear your testimonial!
Corinne
Yes, I have heard from many people that baking soda is good for deodorant. Baking soda for washing hair is called the no-poo method. Glycerine is not environmentally friendly when being processed but the final product is non-toxic. A lot of people can't handle essential oils yeah.
The Multiple Chemical Survivor
For deodorant, I usually use vinegar and add baking soda on it. The vinegar kills germs so you don't smell and the baking soda keeps you dry. Baking soda can be used to wash hair, too, and leaves it squeaky clean. Baking soda for teeth, too. I've read glycerin is very toxic and I can't be around essential oils. Since I've eliminated chemicals for beauty products and don't eat them, I don't get sunburns and I'm a fair-skinned red head.
Jan
I just use Corn Starch and take a shower every day. Easy on the skin and with me having MCS so bad this works great for me an my budget. We all need to share the best things for all of our health issues….Keep everyone safe from cancers and breathing issues.
Joan Price
I always use when I go outdoors. I don't like the idea of putting anything on my skin to absorb that I wouldn't ingest. It all goes in your system in one way or another, and I like to make sure I'm as healthy and natural as possible.
Rachael
Toothbrush solution: have you ever tried a mishwak? They're used a lot in the middle east and actually have good scientific evidence behind them. You don't even need to use toothpaste, the compounds in the root are antimicrobial. I started using one a few months ago and really like it, no more plastic toothbrushes! Also, I find that just throwing some baking soda onto my armpits works remarkably well as deodorant. I had the darndest time finding something cheap that didn't give me rashes and that's what I've settled on.
Corinne
you're the second person to say just use baking soda as deodorant so I'll have to try it! Yes, they used those in Ghana where I was staying, not sure if it's exactly the same tree but it is essentially the same – I should have brought back lots of them when I had the chance (super cheap).
jan
I just use Corn Starch. Feel that baking soda maybe harsh on the skin of used very often. I have used corn starch for 30 years and just make sure I take my daily shower. Some people may need to take a second shower or wash more often under their arm pits. I have been luck with my routine working for me.
Corinne
Interesting thanks for sharing. I didn’t know cornstarch can be used as soap. Does it clog the drains?
Anaphylaxing
Good post! I have a nut and molasses allergy…but I bet I could do that scrub with just white sugar….Great ideas here. I'm supposed to avoid beeswax since all my siblings are anaphylactic to bee stings, but still loads of ideas here. I hadn't heard of Desert Essence. I am going to look into it! Do all smells bother you or just chemical ones?
Corinne
Hi, I think white sugar would work! I don't know if it dissolves easily. I would use the lipbalm recipe that uses cocoa butter as a base. I'm not generally bothered by essential oils so I don't avoid most of them unless it's really strong. Hope you find some good solutions!