Did you know that the beauty products we use can have a profound impact on our health, particularly when it comes to hormones and reproductive well-being? We all want to look and feel our best, but what if the makeup sitting in your cosmetic bag is doing more harm than good? While many of us focus on the color, brand, and packaging of a product, ingredients should be taken into consideration too. There’s a hidden world behind that product- one filled with ingredients that could be harmful to your body and one that could be disrupting your hormones. From foundations to lip colors, many popular cosmetics are loaded with hidden chemicals that can wreak havoc on your hormones. In this blog, I’m going to break down the most common hormone disrupting ingredients lurking in your cosmetics.
First, let’s talk about hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands in the body. They travel through the bloodstream to specific target organs and tissues, where they regulate various physiological processes. Hormones play crucial roles in numerous bodily functions, including:
- Growth and development
- Metabolism
- Reproduction
- Mood and behavior
- Immune function
- Sleep and wake cycles
In the context of women’s health, hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormones are of supreme importance. These hormones influence everything from the menstrual cycle to fertility, mood, and skin health. Makeup can affect various hormones due to endocrine-disrupting chemicals present in some products. These chemicals can interfere with the body’s natural hormone processes, potentially mimicking, blocking, or altering hormone production.
So, how do we know if our makeup contains these toxic ingredients. This is when you need to put on your reading glasses. No brand is going to highlight these toxic ingredients or put them in large bold print. We need to read our labels! Several ingredients commonly found in makeup can interfere with hormone function, potentially disrupting the body’s natural hormonal balance. Here is what to look for:
- Phthalates
These chemicals, often found in fragrances and nail polish, are known hormone disruptors. They can target both estrogen and testosterone receptors, potentially disrupting reproductive development and function.
- Parabens
These preservatives, used to prevent bacterial growth, mimic estrogen and can disrupt hormone levels, potentially impacting fertility, estrogen dominance, and even early puberty.
- Triclosan
This antibacterial agent, found in some cleansers and soaps, has been linked to thyroid hormone disruption and antibiotic resistance.
- Formaldehyde-releasing agents
These preservatives slowly release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and potential hormone disruptor.
- Some UV filters
These chemicals are common in sunscreens and other products and can be absorbed through the skin, disrupting hormone activity.
- Synthetic Fragrances
Fragrances can mask a multitude of chemicals, including phthalates and other endocrine disruptors, which can enter the body through inhalation or skin absorption.
- BHA & BHT
These preservatives, used to prevent oxidation, can act as endocrine disruptors. **Often you may hear a makeup artist talk to you about how your foundation can “oxidize.” This means a foundation can change after application, often becoming darker or more orange, due to a chemical reaction with the oils on your skin and the air. This reaction alters the foundation’s pigment, making it look mismatched with your skin tone.
- PEG’s & PPG’s
These emulsifiers, thickeners, and solvents have been linked to hormone disruption and potentially an increased cancer risk.
Although most chemicals in cosmetics pose little or no risk, some have been linked to serious health problems, including cancer, reproductive and neurological harm, and developmental delays. Cosmetic chemicals enter the body through the skin and pose the same risks as food chemicals. In addition to the risks posed by intentionally added ingredients, cosmetics can be contaminated with heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel.
Under the current law, the FDA has little authority to review chemicals in cosmetics and other personal care products. Personal care products companies do not have to register with the FDA, provide the FDA with ingredient statements, adopt Good Manufacturing Practices, report adverse events to the FDA, or provide the FDA with access to safety records. This is why we must do our own research and protect ourselves. Clean makeup is becoming more popular and more available. For those of you who have been using makeup for years, it is never too late to make the switch to a clean makeup line, such as RMS Beauty. For those just starting to use makeup, why wouldn’t you naturally start with a cosmetic line that is safe for your body and can still give you the beautiful makeup look you desire.
Choosing clean makeup isn’t just a beauty decision- it’s a wellness choice. By becoming more mindful and more educated about what we put on our skin, we not only support our appearance but also our hormonal health. The more informed we are, the more power we have to protect our bodies from hidden toxins. Clean beauty isn’t a trend – it is a long overdue shift toward something better.
-Kendra Pagoria, LE, MUA