Written by Mukti, Founder of Mukti Organics
Chances are you’ve heard of endocrine disruptors (EDCs), a phrase often associated with health warnings, but do you really know what they are? If your answer is no, you’re not alone. While many people may have heard the term before, most have been shielded from fully understanding endocrine disruptors.
In fact, it turns out that many of our beloved beauty products are harbouring dangerous chemicals known as endocrine disruptors. Since this group of chemicals could be slowly poisoning us, it’s time to find out more.
What Is The Endocrine System?
Located throughout the body, the endocrine system is a network of glands that produce hormones that regulate virtually every aspect of human function. Key players like the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, and reproductive organs communicate through an elaborate hormonal language, influencing everything from our metabolism and growth to our mood, sleep patterns, and reproductive capabilities.
What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Endocrine disruptors are sneaky chemicals that can increase or decrease hormone production in our glands, throwing our entire body out of whack. This isn’t some new-age conspiracy theory, either. For the past 70 years, scientists have uncovered that many of the products we slather on our skin can mess with our endocrine system.
We’ve known about endocrine disruption in animals since the 1920s. By the 1960s, we saw the effects of man-made chemicals on wildlife thanks to the overuse of pesticides and herbicides. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that we realised humans weren’t immune to this chemical assault.
Endocrine disruptors, often referred to as hormonally active agents or endocrine disrupting compounds, can be found lurking in cosmetics, skincare, and personal care products – all the things we trustingly apply to our largest organ, our skin.
The cumulative effects of using products containing endocrine disruptors show that these chemicals can accumulate in the body over time, potentially leading to long-term health consequences that may not be immediately apparent. This means that even low doses of endocrine disrupting chemicals, when used repeatedly through various products, can build up and potentially cause harm.
The effects of these chemicals don’t simply disappear after a single use; instead, they can linger and interact with our hormonal systems over extended periods. So that innocent daily spritz of perfume may not seem like much but add up the exposure of daily use (your exposome over time) and you could be putting yourself in harm’s way.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of These On The Body?
When these endocrine disruptors mess with our hormone levels, it creates an imbalance that can lead to inflammation and disease. We’re talking diabetes, various cancers, and a growing list of nearly 50 known diseases. The roster of potential health problems reads like a medical textbook: Addison’s Disease, thyroid cancers, growth disorders, heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis – and that’s just scratching the surface. It’s a sobering thought that many of us might know someone struggling with these conditions, unaware that their daily beauty routine could be contributing to their health woes.
What Specific Ingredients Should We Be Avoiding?
There are many, and unfortunately the list is longer than your weekly grocery receipt. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Parabens are widely used preservatives found in many products, including moisturisers, shampoos, and makeup. Look out for ingredients like methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben on labels.
Phthalates are often hidden in fragrances and can be found in perfumes, shower gels, and nail polish. They’re not always listed on labels, so be wary of products containing “fragrance” or “parfum”.
Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent commonly found in antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, and some body washes.
UV filters like benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor are often present in sunscreens and other products with SPF.
Other ingredients to watch out for include:
- Cyclomethicone and dimethicone, which can trap bacteria and potentially disrupt the endocrine system
- Toluen, a known carcinogen often found in nail polish
- Bisphenol A (BPA) and alkylphenols, which target estrogen receptors
- PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” which can interfere with hormone function
It’s important to note that the list of potential endocrine disruptors is constantly evolving as new research emerges.
How Can We Minimise Exposure To Endocrine Disruptors?
The good news is that it’s not all doom and gloom. Removing endocrine disruptors from your life can actually stop their toxic effects on your body. That doesn’t mean it will reverse any damage, but it can certainly help to minimise future exposure.
Consider opting for products labelled “paraben-free” or “fragrance-free,” and look for organic or natural alternatives. However, remember that “natural” doesn’t automatically mean safe, so it’s crucial to carefully read ingredient lists. You need to become a label-reading ninja, checking every ingredient on every product you use.
Don’t fall for clever marketing tricks – those “No parabens!” claims might be distracting you from other harmful ingredients lurking in the formula.
It’s a lot of work, I know – and that is why I wrote the book Truth in Beauty, to help people understand the intricate world of skincare, with chapters detailing endocrine disruptors and practical guides on things like learning how to read labels.
While it shouldn’t be up to consumers to play detective with every product we buy, the reality is we have to be discerning. Brands and manufacturers should be taking responsibility and keeping these harmful ingredients out of their products in the first place. But until that happens, we need to be our own health advocates.
Feeling overwhelmed about where to start? My advice is to start small – maybe tackle your skincare routine first, then move on to your makeup bag. Every product you swap out for a safer alternative is a step towards a healthier you. The more we educate ourselves about these hidden dangers, the more we can demand change from the beauty industry.
Our health is not for sale and is certainly not worth sacrificing for a smoother complexion or fresher scent. So, the next time you’re about to slather on that lotion or spritz that perfume, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: is this product nourishing my body, or is it potentially harming it? Your endocrine system and long-term health will thank you for your caution.
About Mukti
Mukti (/MOOKH tee/) is a cosmetic formulator, skin therapist, author and the founder of Mukti Organics (her eponymous skincare brand). Mukti launched her award-winning skincare brand Mukti Organics in 2000 after identifying a gap in the market for organic products that are both results-driven and backed by science.
Mukti is an avid writer and researcher, with her best-selling book “Truth In Beauty”, second edition, released in 2024. Truth in Beauty is an insider’s guide into the industry, helping readers to navigate the clean beauty movement and achieve a healthier lifestyle. Her easy-to-follow companion is full of need-to-know information that exposes the harmful ingredients found in everyday skincare, cosmetics, and personal care products.
