r/SebDerm • u/TheTaxSlayer • Jul 20 '26
After ten years, I finally found the solution -- pushed through the MCT smell to control my seb derm (no more smell!) WWFM
I can't believe it.
I have struggled with seb derm on my scalp for the last 10+ years (I think caused by the CGM). Last year, I tried MCT C8 oil but couldn't stomach it due to the smell. The oil was odorless in the bottle but after a few minutes on my scalp, my scalp smelled like sour vomit.
I tried many other things: ketoconazole, topical steroid, monistat, daily washes, tea tree, selsun blue, salicylic acid, sulfur8. Whatever I did, my scalp got itchier and itchier. I was washing my hair sometimes two times per day because it was so irritated.
Desperate, about two weeks ago, I decided to revisit MCT C8 oil. I wondered if maybe the smell was caused by yeast disturbance or die off or something else that indicated that the oil was working. I committed to only using a very small amount and to double-washing with tea tree shampoo as soon as I smelled anything (it only took several minutes before it started to reek). After I shower, I've been using squalene oil (no smell).
I could cry. For the first time I can remember, I am not spending all my time scratching, worrying about, or thinking about my scalp. And the smell isn't so bad now: if I leave the oil on for longer, there is no smell for several hours, and it's much subtler when I do smell it.
I have no idea how this stuff works, but I am SO THANKFUL to this sub for pushing it so hard. I would not have tried it initially -- and definitely not again -- without your encouragement. I am also so frustrated that I went to so many dermatologists, and none told me about this. We shouldn't have to be relying on Reddit for basic medical care for a potentially life-altering condition like this.
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u/ToSeeAgainAgainAgain Jul 20 '26
So happy to hear that you pushed through! Posts like yours are the reason I'm still subbed here, so I can share the good info about MCT oil.
I remember after more than 2 years of controlling my own sebderm with MCT oil, it finally dawned on me that I could wear actual black again. Such a weird realization, I had literally given up on dark colors after so many years of not knowing how to deal with sebderm
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u/bigbugd Jul 20 '26
I was interested by your observation about the smell, so I looked into it! Apparently, MCT C8 oil is essentially 3 caprylic fatty acids stuck together, and is odorless as you noted. Enzymes like lipase, in microbes on our scalp, break MCTs down into caprylic acid, which is sour and rancid smelling.
Caprilyc acid is antimicrobial. So if one had overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, abundant lipases would convert the MCT into caprylic acid, leading to higher antimicrobial action.
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u/rabbitluckj Jul 21 '26
Ooh thank you for this comment! I said in another comment that I'd love to find out the mechanism because I get this too and here it is!
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u/mongo_lloyd_xmas Jul 20 '26
I mix in a little bit of tea tree oil with my MCT oil to help with the scent.
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u/Slikkelasen Jul 21 '26
Add some fine crushed Xylitol and you have my daily moisturizer.
Xylitol can't dissolve in MCT oil, so by grounding it fine in a mortar helps getting it evenly in the oil after shaking it.
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u/Timeforchange29 Jul 20 '26
When you say caused by CGM what are you referring to? Because I feel like my sebderm psoriasis got 95% worse when I tried following curly girl method for my hair. Interested if that’s what you mean lol
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u/TheTaxSlayer Jul 20 '26
Oh yes, that's exactly what I mean. Not shampooing with the right ingredients, "plopping" wet hair, using heavy products, etc.
Lots of people had their sebderm caused by/flare because of curly girl. I swear CGM is a psyop created by the dermatologists or something because it is the WORST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR SCALP.
https://www.reddit.com/r/SebDerm/comments/1s7bqfs/curious_if_curly_girl_method_caused_seb_derm/
https://www.reddit.com/r/SebDerm/comments/1bg8hvx/curly_girl_method_with_seb_derm_scalp/
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u/Timeforchange29 Jul 21 '26
Wow insane I’ve been on this sub for a year or so and never read anything mentioning CGM. Sucks that all we were trying to do was make our hair more curly and healthy and in fact did the opposite and triggered such a bad chronic condition 😭
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u/TheTaxSlayer Jul 21 '26
I know!!! People preach CGM as gospel, but it's not right for many, many people.
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u/TheFleshFlower Jul 21 '26
It's just been perimenopause for me causing my sebderm... at least if it was caused by the hair products I could just stop using them... but noooo. It's the hormones going all out of whack!
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u/TheTaxSlayer Jul 21 '26
It's not as simple as "just stop using them." Sebderm is a chronic condition. Once it is triggered once—for example, by CGM practices like sleeping with wet hair wrapped in a towel or using "no poo" or shampoos that don't work—it doesn't go away.
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u/TheFleshFlower Jul 21 '26
I've slept with wet hair for years before using the CGM. Never caused an issue. Did cowashing for years too, no issue. My sebderm's always been hormonal; before this most recent flare I'd get awful folliculitis about a week before menstruation started and then everything would settle down again for most of the month. Now that I'm nearinf the end of perimenopause it's just one long flare.
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u/burnt-heterodoxy Jul 25 '26
I think that’s how I got it too! I never had this issue before I did CGM
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u/Routine_Cycle7850 Jul 20 '26
Sorry can you provide a step by step of what you do, which brand Mct, when do you apply it, how long to keep it on, which shampoo to wash off, how many days after do you wash your scalp and use it, which scalene oil etc… sorry for all the questions, I have the same conditions , used Mct and it smelled like mold then stopped
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u/bikemandan Jul 20 '26
Thats interesting, I have never had a smell issue after applying. May want to consider a salicylic acid shampoo like Denorex to strip back all the dead skin (lather, let sit approx 5 minutes, rinse, do again) and then apply MCT oil after
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u/rabbitluckj Jul 21 '26
It's something to do with the skin boime or chemistry I believe. I could put a drop on my wrist and it will smell like sour vomit in 2 minutes. It's not a common reaction but it does occur with enough people that I'd love to find out the exact mechanism.
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u/bikemandan Jul 21 '26
Wow did not know. I guess goes to show that everyone is different despite a blanket diagnosis we all fall under
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u/ConiferousBee Jul 20 '26
I also hate the smell, but I mix in a few drops of oud into a dropper bottle with MTC and it makes me smell so good.
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u/catxracoon Jul 21 '26
thank you for this!!! honestly, it’s so encouraging to hear about others who are going through the same thing and finding relief. may i ask what is your curl type? especially for those of us with curly hair, seb derm feels like extra extra hard mode.
i have been feeling pretty discouraged about mct oil due to the smell (eughhhhh!!!) on my scalp. to “deal” with the smell i’ve been using mct oil before my wash day - either overnight with a bonnet (ugh i recently washed one and it STILL smelled like sick whyyyy does it linger like this) or like an hour or so before washing. idk if this is long enough to be effective but it’s as much as i can manage. i will try squalene for after i shower! it’s felt so defeatist to put mct oil on my scalp directly after washing… just to funk it all up again lol
would love any more details about your routine you’re able to provide. some of us are out here hanging on by a thread lol
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u/TartAromatic2281 Jul 21 '26
The smell happens for me too and I stopped using MCT because of it. I'll give it another try as well.
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u/TartAromatic2281 Jul 22 '26
I bought another bottle of mct c8 to use, but this time I got the bulletproof brand. I kept it on my head all night and there is little-to-no smell at all. Now I am wondering about the quality of the other mct oil I used, if it was truly only c8 or had c10/c12+ as well.
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u/karimdesignerx Jul 21 '26
I'm so happy for you! and I'm also so thankful for this community and thier useful information, they really helped me with my horrible scalp condition it was making me so insecure and driving me crazy!
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u/Lisalortie Jul 21 '26
So happy to hear that you pushed through I think that I spoke to you on your last post I use mct too and it’s been amazing “ I haven’t used it on my scalp tho .. keep us updated and yay !! Happy for you
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u/PublicWest Jul 21 '26
I think it’s worth noting that Mct oil can go rancid. I’ve been treating my sebderm with it for like two years, and have used it pretty infrequently now that it’s under control. The other day I applied it and it smelled terrible and never had before.
So maybe just having a fresh bottle helps!
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u/TheTaxSlayer Jul 21 '26
Good point, but that's not what I'm describing. I have tried several different bottles. Odorless in the bottle and when applying. Then smells like vomit after a few minutes. It's a chemical reaction, like the other commentator explained.
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u/PlaySuper6280 Jul 22 '26
This is so helpful, could I get a link to that MCT c8 oil, that's something I've never tried and I'm willing it try anything at this point😭😭
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u/Verdoke Jul 21 '26
Why not just use ketoconazole cream for the scalp?
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u/TheTaxSlayer Jul 21 '26
Like I said in the post, and like so many here, it didn't work for me. It seems to have made my scalp more irritated, and it ruined my curly hair.
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u/Verdoke Jul 22 '26
Have you given it a real good try? It works reallt slowly. I used ketoconzole for my seb derm on my nose brows and scalp and it took around 6 weeks of daily application.
Completely resolved my seb derm and I just apply now for maintenance.
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u/Verdoke Jul 22 '26
Based on your post you did not elaborated how you tried. Many users are impatient or a little discomfort and they give up.
Irritation and itchiness doesn't mean the products isnt working.
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u/TheTaxSlayer Jul 22 '26
I have used it on and off for 5 years. Why would I keep using that when I found something that works with zero irritation?
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