Are Hormone Disrupting Chemicals Hidden in Your Skincare?

Your endocrine system is where all those hormones come from - it's the collection of glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, ovaries and testicles that produce hormones that regulate everything from metabolism to sexual function, sleep, and mood. 

Your endocrine system can be affected by everyday toxins and pollutants that can alter the way they are supposed to behave, earning them the name 'endocrine disruptors. These disruptors can be responsible for irregular periods and breakouts and, very rarely, illnesses and cancer. 

Resorcinol

This endocrine disruptor is mostly used as a preservative, though you'll also see it for antiseptic and disinfectant purposes. It's found in topical acne treatments and those to treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. What's most fascinating is that it is known to irritate the skin, yet it is in your hair dye and all these other things you likely use regularly. Beware of resorcin, 1,3-benzenediol, and 1,3-dihydroxybenzene (m-hydroxybenze, m-dihydroxyphenol) to avoid it.

Oxybenzone

This sunscreen agent and UV absorber is supposed to protect you. It's also used in moisturiser, foundation, nail polish, lip products, and shampoos and conditioners. Your body absorbs it quite readily, though. And here's the thing… it's toxic to coral reefs. So, if it causes them damage, imagine what it's doing to you! Steer clear of products with oxybenzone, benzophenone and derivatives, and sulisobenzone.

Triclosan

Stay away from triclosan and triclocarban. This active ingredient serves as a preservative and antibacterial agent for soaps, mouthwash, antiperspirants, toothpaste, etc. Since it bioaccumulates in the environment, it may be what is causing antibiotic resistance and has been shown to affect autoimmune diseases.

Phthalates

Indeed, one of the worst there out there are those phthalates. BPA is found in cans and bottles and some of the toys that our children play with. But the worst part of it is that other types of phthalates aren't listed on your labels. DEP (diethyl phthalate) is used in nail polish and fragrances. Thankfully in Australia and the EU, many phthalates have been banned in cosmetics, including dibutylphthalate, diethylhexylphthalate, diisobutylphthalate and di(methyloxyethyl) phthalate (DMEP). On labels, check for BPA, DEP, DBP, and DEHP. Anything that simply lists' fragrances' should also be questioned as it's usually a chemical cocktail you're liberally dousing your skin in. 

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives that should really make you think twice because they can mimic estrogen. Parabens have been found in human breast cancer tissue too, as mentioned earlier. This nasty compound has no benefits (there are safe preservatives formulators can use).

While that list above isn't nearly complete, it's a good start in getting you to re-examine what ingredients you're slathering all over your skin. If you want to make a change for the better and protect yourself from future health issues, there are some things you can do.

- Avoid these nasty endocrine disruptors

The most obvious thing is to avoid these chemical agents mentioned here as much as possible. Reducing your exposure to them will minimise damage to your health. Read labels.

- Say ‘no’ to plastic

Packaging made of plastic is another problem, especially drink bottles that may have travelled in the heat or plastic containers used to microwave. When it comes to single use plastic, it is not sustainable for the earth, but it also potentially puts you up close and personal with these hormone disruptors. With personal- care and beauty products, try to use glass packaged products (some bathroom products are hard to put into glass safely, but you'll experience huge wins by going for low-hanging fruit such as food and drink packaging and choosing glass or a material other than plastic personal care products where possible). As a side bonus, being thoughtful of these concerns will also benefit the environment.

- Never use synthetic fragrances

Synthetic fragrances are easy to spot because they will be labelled as 'fragrance' on your products - and there can be up to 4000 chemicals in a 'frangrance'. These are usually made of those phthalates, though, which can disturb your thyroid and have been suggested to cause male reproductive issues. If you want to smell as lovely as a flower, go for natural perfumes that list essential oils and botanical ingredients. These will give you a pleasant aroma without any of those nasty chemicals. Breast Cancer Prevention has more information on frangrances and why you want to avoid them here.