Endocrine disruptors are EVERYWHERE.
What are endocrine disruptors? And why do they matter for your hormones?
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals found in our air, water, soil, food, consumer products, beauty products, and personal-care products that interfere with the production, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action, or elimination of the body's natural hormones.
These endocrine disruptors mimic our naturally occurring hormones (think: estrogen, thyroid hormone, and androgens) -- and this confuses our biological endocrine system which ultimately leads to hormonal imbalances.
Endocrine disruptors have been linked to a host of conditions including ::
Estrogen dominance
Infertility
Early puberty
Increased risk for certain cancers including breast and thyroid
It's a big deal. And it's something we need to be taking seriously if we want to safeguard our hormonal/menstrual/reproductive health.
Healthy hormones are foundational in ensuring optimal menstrual health, optimal fertility, and awesome energy/libido!
In the many years that I have been researching this topic and getting to the bottom of what actually disrupts our hormones, I have come to a sobering realization of just how harmful many of our favorite beauty care products are, and how they are a literal chemical crackstorm for our hormonal health.
Why?
Because they are FULL of endocrine disruptors!!
This includes things like:::
Our makeup
Our moisturizers
Our feminine hygiene products
Our hair care products
Our lotions and potions and serums and salves
Did you know there are over 1,800 harmful ingredients/chemicals, known to cause harm to the human body, that the USA STILL allows in our beauty care products?!
It’s not okay, and it is harming us (and our hormones) daily.
Prominent Chemicals Found In Beauty Care & Makeup
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
A disinfectant used as a preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies. Found in: sunscreens, moisturizers.
BUTYLATEDHYDROXY ANISOLE AND BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE
Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage. Found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics.
COAL TAR HAIR DYES AND OTHER COAL TAR INGREDIENTS
A byproduct of coal processing that is a known carcinogen. It is used as a colorant and an anti-dandruff agent. Found in: hair dye, shampoo.
ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID (EDTA)
A chelating (binding) agent added to cosmetics to improve stability. May be toxic to organs. Found in: hair color, moisturizers.
ETHANOLAMINES (MEA/DEA/TEA)
Surfactants and pH adjuster linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development. Found in: hair dyes, mascara, foundation, fragrances, sunscreens, dry cleaning solvents, paint, pharmaceuticals.
FORMALDEHYDE
Used as a preservative in cosmetics. A known carcinogen that is also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. Present where quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), and several other preservatives are listed. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.
HYDROQUINONE
A skin-lightening chemical that inhibits the production of melanin and is linked to cancer, organ toxicity, and skin irritation. Found in: skin-lightening creams.
METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE AND METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE
Chemical preservatives that are among the most common irritants, sensitizers, and causes of contact skin allergies. Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body wash.
OXYBENZONE
Sunscreen agent and ultraviolet light absorber linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies, and possible hormone disruption. Found in: sunscreen, moisturizer.
PARABENS (METHYL-, ISOBUTYL-, PROPYL- AND OTHERS)
A class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.
PHTHALATES (DBP, DEHP, DEP AND OTHERS)
A class of plasticizing chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects. Found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials.
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG COMPOUNDS)
PEGs are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. Depending on manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are both carcinogens. Found in: creams, sunscreen, shampoo.
RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE)
Retinyl palmitate is an ingredient composed of palmitic acid and retinol (Vitamin A). Data from an FDA study indicate that retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may result in adverse health consequences like lesions and photosensitization. FDA, Norwegian and German health agencies have raised a concern that daily skin application of vitamin A creams may contribute to excessive vitamin A intake for pregnant women and other populations.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLS AND SLES)
SLS and SLES are surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation, which is used to process other chemicals in order to make them less harsh. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.
SYNTHETIC FLAVOR OR FRAGRANCE
An engineered scent or flavoring agent that may contain any combination of 3,000-plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed. Found in: all types of cosmetics.
TOLUENE
A volatile petrochemical solvent that is toxic to the immune system and can cause birth defects. Found in: nail polish.
TRICLOSAN AND TRICLOCARBAN
Antimicrobial pesticides toxic to the aquatic environment; may also impact human reproductive systems. Found in: liquid soap, soap bars, toothpaste.
Be on the lookout for these naughty chemicals that are no doubt lurking in many of your favorite beauty care products!
And please consider chucking them if they contain any of these listed chemicals.
Safeguarding your hormonal health is a full time job! So make it easier on yourself by eliminating your exposure to these toxins wherever you can.
I am so super excited to share that I have recently partnered with Beautycounter, a clean beauty brand that is changing the skincare and beauty product industry in terms of safety, sustainability, and ensuring that these toxic chemicals do not make their way into our beauty products.
I'm SO blown away by this company and their commitment to safety, transparency, and advocacy, and I am so honored to be part of this movement toward #betterbeauty!
Once you know how toxic your beloved beauty products are and how much they are contributing to your hormonal imbalances, you kinda can't look back ...
So here's to looking forward --
-- to cleaner beauty, healthier & happier hormones, and way fewer chemicals for my body! Here for it!!
I have made a conscious effort over the years to switch to safer beauty and skincare products, and Beautycounter has helped me do that! I love that I can rest easy knowing their products are safe for my skin, don’t disrupt my hormones, and don’t derail all the progress I have made over the years on my hormone healing journey.
Please let me know how I can help you figure out what the best products are for your skin!
You can take this skin care quiz here to figure out which skin type you have an which products may suite you best.
I would love to help you make the switch to safer beauty products too, so send me an email at [email protected] or start shopping today at Beautycounter!
Here’s to Peace, Love, and Better Beauty!!
Xoxo,
Emily 😊
