Which Skincare & Haircare Products Contain Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals?

Summary: In the European Union, 1,300 chemicals are banned from use in skin and hair care products. Only 11 chemicals are banned in the USA. Yes, just 11. Most skin & hair care products sold in the USA (even ones made by European companies) contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, many linked to cancers and other diseases. Sources 1, 2, 3, 

Disturbing, we know. Yes, there are products with these chemicals in my home, in all of our homes. They're almost impossible to avoid, but at the end we'll share 5 ways you can significantly reduce your exposure.

At S.M.OC. Skincare, our certified organic products contain no hormone-disrupting chemicals, allowing you to rest assured that your body will remain free of these nearly ubiquitous hazards. 

Keep reading to learn more about what these toxic chemicals are, which products contain them, and how to avoid them to protect your health. 

What Are Hormones?

Hormones are molecules in our bodies that coordinate the functioning of our organs, our reproductive, immune & nervous systems, and our metabolism. Virtually all aspects of our bodies are managed by hormones.

The endocrine system is the network of glands and organs that make and release hormones. 

🧪What Are Hormone Disruptors?

Hormone disruptors, also called endocrine disruptors, are man-made chemicals that interfere with the proper functioning of hormones.  

Hormone disruptors  = Endocrine disruptors = Endocrine disrupting chemicals

🧪What Do Hormone-disrupting Chemicals Do to Us?

The medical research on this topic is extensive and clear: hormone-disrupting chemicals can cause serious illness including cancer. One meta-analysis concluded: "We found that most EDCs [endocrine-disrupting chemicals] promote tumor development." Source 1.

The World Health Organization says hormone-disrupting chemicals "contribute to...breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, developmental effects on the nervous system in children, attention deficit /hyperactivity in children and thyroid cancer." Source 1.

Hormone-disrupting chemicals have been shown to cause the following illnesses: 

• • Breast cancer. Sources 1, 2, 3, 4,   
  • Prostate cancer. Sources 1, 2, 
  • Ovarian cancer. Source 1,
  • Thyroid cancer. Sources 1, 2,
  • Thyroid disorders. Sources 1, 2,
  • Infertility, miscarriage, & birth defects. Sources 1, 2, 3,
  • Lower testosterone & sperm damage. Sources 1, 2, 3,  
  • Obesity. Source 1,
  • Diabetes. Sources 1, 2,
    

Pregnant women, fetuses, and children are especially vulnerable to harm from endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Sources 1, 2, 

🧪Which Skincare and Haircare Products Can Contain Hormone-disrupting Chemicals?

Unfortunately, most skincare and haircare products contain hormone-disrupting chemicals. This is because hormone-disrupting chemicals can often be found in products with chemical additives, products with fragrance, products packaged in plastic, and in products contaminated with residual pesticides & herbicides. That's most products. Sources 1, 2, 3,

There are ~80,000 man-made chemicals used in commerce and thousands of them are harmful to humans. Nearly every country on earth has stricter regulation of chemicals than the USA. Sources 1, 2, 3, That's a disturbing problem.

Many skincare companies sell one (less toxic) formulation in Europe and a different (more toxic) formulation in America. 

⚠️1. Products with CHEMICAL ADDITIVES such as fragrances

All fragrances contain chemicals called phthalates. Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals. Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 

Fragrance = Phthalates = Hormone disruptors

⚠️2. Products with PRESERVATIVES such as parabens

Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in personal care products. Parabens are proven hormone disruptors and have also been shown to increase the risk of cancer. Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Parabens are often unlisted ingredients, meaning many skincare companies don't disclose the presence of harmful chemicals like parabens. 

Parabens (type of preservative) = Hormone disruptors.  

⚠️3. Products packaged in PLASTIC

Plastic is manufactured from chemicals derived from the fossil fuel industry. Many of the chemicals in plastic are known hormone-disruptors. Sources 1, 2, 3, 4,  Those toxic chemicals leach into the products packaged in those plastics. 

⚠️4. Products with residual pesticides or herbicides

In addition to being carcinogens, pesticides and herbicides are proven hormone disruptors. Many personal care products are made with plant oils and those plants were sprayed with pesticides and herbicides. This is why Certified Organic matters. Remember, the word "natural" is a completely unregulated term. Using Certified Organic products helps you avoid toxic chemicals and protects your health. Sources 1, 2,

5 Ways To Avoid Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

1. Use unscented or fragrance-free products. Fragrances are synthetic scents that contain hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates. Products scented with essential oils (natural scents) are safe to use.
2. Use products that are free of chemical additives. Read ingredient labels. If you don't know what it is, it's quite possibly a harmful chemical additive.
3. Use products that are free of preservatives. Parabens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are widely used as preservatives in countless consumer products, especially liquids.  Avoid parabens.
4. Avoid plastic. Plastic contains endocrine-disrupting chemicals that leech into the product. Use bar soap and shampoo bars instead of liquid soaps and liquid shampoos. This also limits your exposure to harmful microplastic.
5. Use products that are Certified Organic because this helps you avoid pesticide & herbicide residue. Pesticides and herbicides are carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

We're potentially exposed to thousands of hormone-disrupting chemicals in skincare and haircare products.  They're difficult to avoid completely but we can REDUCE our exposure. Until laws change, it's up to us to protect ourselves by educating ourselves and choosing products carefully. 

Please share this information with others so that they can protect their health as well.

Take care and thanks for reading!

Kal Garcia, S.M.O.C. Skincare