Hidden Hormone Risks - Beauty & EDC's

Take a quick look at your bathroom shelves. You’ll probably spot a variety of personal care products like toothpaste, deodorant, hair products, soap, fragrances, sunscreen, shampoo, and conditioner. For most women, the list doesn’t stop there. Add in items like self-tanning products, face masks, day creams, night creams, under-eye creams, hair removal creams, makeup, makeup remover, and more. Beyond the bathroom, daily exposure to synthetic colours, fragrances, and moisturising agents is the norm. And it’s not just our skin—many women are also exposed to fragranced and bleached plastics through products like pads, panty liners, and tampons.

While these products may feel like an essential part of our self-care routine, they come with hidden risks. These personal care items are often left on the skin, absorbed into the bloodstream, and can disrupt your hormonal balance. One of the biggest culprits? Fragrance.

The Harmful Effects of Fragrance on Hormone Health

“Fragrance” might seem harmless, but it’s far from it. This innocent-sounding word on a label can hide a cocktail of chemicals. A single fragrance can consist of up to 100 different synthetic compounds, many of which are known endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can interfere with the way your hormones function, leading to issues with fertility, thyroid function, and overall hormone balance.

Think about where you apply products like perfume—on your neck, close to your thyroid, or under your armpits, near fatty breast tissue. The concentration of chemicals in these areas can have a direct impact on your hormone health. The thyroid, in particular, is incredibly sensitive to chemicals, and applying perfume directly to this area could disrupt its function.

The body absorbs fragrances through the skin and even through inhalation, making exposure constant. While wearing perfume may feel like a luxury, it’s essential to consider safer alternatives. Opt for essential oil blends or naturally derived scents, and if you still love wearing perfume, spray it on your clothing rather than your skin.

Deodorants and the Aluminium Problem

Speaking of underarm care, many of us rely on antiperspirant deodorants as part of our daily routine. But have you checked the ingredients lately? Aluminium, a common ingredient in antiperspirants, acts by plugging up our sweat glands. It’s also considered a xenoestrogen, meaning it mimics estrogen in the body. This can be particularly concerning for women, as breast tissue—located close to the armpits—is highly sensitive to estrogenic activity.

While sweat might be inconvenient, it’s your body’s natural way of detoxifying. Long-term use of antiperspirants containing aluminium has raised concerns, especially for those with a higher risk of breast cancer. Opt for natural, aluminium-free alternatives when possible.

Grooming Products: More Than Just Clean

The next time you lather up with soap, shampoo, or body wash, take a closer look at the ingredients. Many grooming products contain surfactants—cleaning agents that strip away dirt and oil but also break down the skin’s natural barrier. This makes it easier for potentially harmful chemicals to enter the body.

Common endocrine disruptors to watch out for in personal care products include phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), triclosan, fluoride, and synthetic fragrances. These ingredients are designed to cleanse but can disrupt hormone function and damage the skin’s protective layer, allowing toxic chemicals to penetrate more easily.

If you want to explore the deeper effects of these ingredients, check out our blog post: The Itchy Inconvenience of Hand Hygiene.

Sunscreen: Protection or Problem?

Sunscreen is vital for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, but not all sunscreens are created equal. There are two main types: UV-absorbing and UV-reflecting. UV-absorbing sunscreens are designed to penetrate the skin, but research has shown that their chemicals can be found in human blood, placenta, and urine. These chemicals can interfere with both sex and thyroid hormones, and some can even cross the blood-brain barrier.

On the other hand, physical sunscreens that reflect UV rays—like those containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide—tend to stay on the surface of the skin and are less likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream. If your skin is damaged or sunburnt, however, absorption rates can increase, potentially leading to neurological effects.

Feminine Hygiene Products: What’s in Your Pads and Tampons?

The vaginal area is especially sensitive and highly absorbent, making it more vulnerable to the chemicals in feminine hygiene products. Many tampons and pads are made from a blend of cotton and synthetics, and some still contain pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and dioxins from bleaching processes. These are all known endocrine disruptors.

The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, so there’s no need for vaginal washes, wipes, or perfumes—these products can actually upset the natural balance and do more harm than good.

Safer Alternatives for Your Daily Routine

You don’t have to give up personal care products entirely, but it’s crucial to make informed choices about what you put on your skin. Here are some healthier alternatives:

• DIY Skin Care: Use natural ingredients like coffee, baking soda, honey, oats, and avocado for face masks and scrubs. These are effective, easy to find, and free from harmful chemicals.

• Feminine Hygiene: Opt for organic, fragrance-free tampons and pads, or consider using a menstrual cup to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

• Perfume: Use essential oil rollers or naturally diluted scents. When using commercial perfumes, spray them on your clothing instead of directly on your skin.

• Deodorants: Look for low-tox deodorants made from natural ingredients, such as crystal deodorants, pastes, or even DIY versions. Health food stores offer a wide range of options.

• Soaps, Shampoos, and Toothpastes: Choose products made from naturally derived ingredients. Light oils like sweet almond oil, jojoba, and Moroccan oil are great moisturisers—just be cautious with coconut oil on the face, as it can cause congestion and breakouts.

• Sunscreen: When possible, choose physical sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for UVA/UVB protection. Or better yet, protect yourself with a hat, light clothing, and shade.