Hidden Endocrine Disruptors Commonly Found in Household + Skincare Products

With pretty labels on consumer products that are eye-catchy and say organic, non-toxic, are we really shopping for things that are good for us? There actually are many hidden endocrine disruptors commonly found in household and skincare products. In this article, you'll learn more about endocrine disrupting chemicals: what they are, how they work, what to avoid, and how to shop clean products.

The Endocrine System and How It Works

The endocrine system sits along the HPATG axis. It is responsible for our immunity, how we handle stress, our metabolism and reproduction.

The endocrine system and the nervous system interact via the vagus nerve, the moderator of the gut brain axis. When we use toxic products, we are disrupting the function of the vagus nerve which affects the entire body in the end.

What are Endocrine Disruptors?

Endocrine dirsuptors are chemicals that negativley interfere with the endocrine system functions and how it is regulated in human health. They can cause hormonal imbalance. Endocrine disruptors can mimic and interfere with the body’s hormone system.

We are contantly learning new things through the products and Dr. recommended prescriptions we use, so it's importnat to keep an open mind about how things affect our bodies. For example, Diethylstilbestrol (DES), is a manmade form of estrogen. It was used in treatment for menopausal and post menopausal women before being classified to have carcinogenic affects in 2000.

Xenoestrogens are a sub-category of the endocrine disruptor group that specifically have estrogen-like adverse effects. Estrogen is a natural hormone in humans that is important for bone growth, blood clotting, and reproduction in men and women. The body regulates the amount needed through intricate biochemical pathways.

Xenoestrogens may temporarily or permanently alter the feedback loops in the brain, pituitary, gonads, and thyroid by mimicking the effects of estrogen and triggering their specific receptors or they may bind to hormone receptors and block the action of natural hormones.

Hidden Endocrine Disruptors Commonly Found in Household and Skincare Products

You don't have to swallow a chemical for it to make an effect. Your skin is a giant mouth and anything you slather on it, or it encounters, can have negative health effects when endocrine disruptors are present.

From makeup products and skincare washes and lotions to things we use around the house like detergent, cleaning products, and candles, endocrine disruptors can sneak up on us in all sorts of places we aren't even aware of. 

Bisphenol (BPA)

BPA, seen in plastics and also a lining in many canned foods, metal jar lids, and plastics like water bottles and takeout food containers as well. In perosnal care products, you'll see these in lipsticks, nail polish, and other face and eye makeup.It is one of the most frequently detected endocrine disruptors when tested in humans.

Dioxins

Dixoins are an herbicide production byproduct.

Fragrance 

When the term fragrance is used vaguely, this is a red flag. It’s technically a way of getting around telling you specific ingredients that are actually in the product. This could be30-40 chemicals,

Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is used to protect products from damage via UV exposure. You find it in sunscreens, hairsprays, and other cosmetics.

Parabens

You'll find these used as preservatives in many personal hygiene products like shaving cream, moisturizers, and haircare products, as well as cosmetics.

Pesticides/ Insecticides, Fungicides

All of these items are not only affecting our environmental health, but also biological effects on human health. Glyphosate, an herbicide used in lawncare, is one of the main ingredients found in roundup. Recents studies have shown that when exposed, there are increased risks of Celiac Disease, Autism and other issues in humans.

Perchlorate

Perchlorate can be found coming from industrial runoff into drinking water, plastic packaging, food handling equipment (yes, it's FDA approved and not yet banned), and fireworks.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)

PCB's are used in things like caulk, glues, paint, plasticizers, florescent lighting and transformers.

PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl)

PFA's are endocrine disruptors found in nonstick pans, paper food packaging, parchment paper, dental floss, and also cosmetics.

Phthalates

Phthalates are present in plastic additives, fragrance, to make food packaging more durable, nail polish, vinyl flooring, lubricating oils, and other cosmetics, (shampoos, hair sprays, soaps) toys, and medical devices.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)

PBDE's are present in flame retardants, like furniture foam, mattresses, and in carpets.

Triclosan

Triclosan is an antimicrobial used in personal care products like toothpaste and liquid soaps.

The Endocrine Effect How bad are they really?

Previously there was an amount that was considered ‘safe’. Recent research shows that even the smallest amount of chemicals can affect your health.

They are also pretty unregulated in the US. Some of the ingredients (13+) that contain known endocrine disruption issues that have been banned in European countries remain on beauty products in the states.

For example, many makeup products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with progesterone production, causing it to be low. Not ideal if you are looking to get pregnant and carry to term, as low progesterone can be a cause of infertility and miscarriages. 

Shopping Cleaner Products

Newsflash! There’s really truly no product out there that’s a clean beauty product. Your body needs to process everything that goes through it. So instead of thinking about non-toxic, think about a few different things next time you shop for skincare, household, or even food products in the future. 

Read the Ingredients

If you are reading the ingredients on the label, and you don't know what they mean or stand for, they are likley not good for you. Also, when choosing products try to stick to products with fewer ingredients.

If You Can't Eat It, Don't Use It

This goes specifically for your skincare products. When a product contains something you can't eat, you shouldn't be putting it on your skin. The reason for this is that there is no filter when you rub onto your skin like we have when we ingest through our mouth where we have barrier function that can help ward off toxic effects.

Use the EWG App

Not all marketing is created equal. Even when things say they are clean, non-toxic, and safe, you should always check the back of the label. Keep the list above on file when shopping for products. When shopping new products, use the Environmental Working Group Health Living App (EWG).

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