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Most people do everything they can to avoid toxins in their food. However, they forget that products we use, such as makeup, can make way into our bodies too. Although the skin is an elimination system, it’s still a route by which substances can enter our system just like ingesting or inhaling. Studies show that the human skin absorbs 60-70% of the substances applied to it, and it takes about 26-32 seconds for those substances to enter our bloodstream.One of the top concerns about makeup products is that they release endocrine disrupting chemicals in humans.
In recent years the term endocrine Disruptors’ has been widely used in the media as people are becoming more aware of their health risks. Unfortunately, most synthetic makeup products have Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are linked to an array of long-term health consequences.
Why Should I Be Concerned About the Endocrine System?
Your endocrine system regulates many important processes in our bodies with some being immediate and other life-long. The system is made up of a network of glands that secrete hormones. The hormones, in turn, stabilize or balance normal functions in the body. Disruption in this balance can alter our development, usage, and storage of energy, reproduction, the balance of water, behavior, and can lead to harmful effects on our health.
According to Carol Kwiatoski Ph.D., Executive Director of the non-for-profit Endocrine Disruption Exchange, EDCs can cause serious health issues such as thyroid conditions, diabetes, and fertility problems.
A 2012 study by the Journal of Environmental and Public Health also linked Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals to:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Infertility
- Mood Swings
- Weight Gain
EDCs also alter the neural transmissions in the body, which causes degenerative neural diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.
What are Endocrine Disruptors and How Do They Work?
Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with our hormones’ normal functions in our bodies by interfering with our endocrine system. The Endocrine-disrupting chemicals include substances that interfere with hormone production, breakdown, transport, and elimination in the body. Endocrine Disruptors can also mimic the hormones in our bodies to give a stronger wrong signal than the Natural hormone.
Makeup Ingredients with Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
Research shows that an average American woman applies over 160 synthetic chemicals on her body every day without knowing. Most of these chemicals have endocrine-disrupting properties that can affect us even in very small doses. The endocrine-disrupting chemicals you should be most worried about are parabens such as:
- Benzylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
In fact, parabens are synthetic estrogen, which mimic the natural estrogen in your body and are a known carcinogen. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Cosmetics most makeup products are full of other Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals such as:
- UV filters
- Phthalates
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Alkylphenols
- Triclosan
- Resorcinol
- Hydroquinone
- Lead
- Petrolatum
- Xylene
- Toluene
- Mineral oil
- Liquid paraffin
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Oxybenzone
- Artificial Dyes
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Synthetic Colors
Other studies found more than 200 endocrine-disrupting chemicals in cosmetics linked to serious negative health effects such as mood swings, impairment of the reproductive system, altered brain development, asthma, obesity, and loss of sleep.
Beauty Industry groups maintain that endocrine-disrupting chemicals in their cosmetics are in very small doses and are safe. However, it’s important to note that the data suggests that these types of chemicals have adverse effects even at a low dosage. Instead of inspecting your beauty products for hundreds of unsafe chemicals, natural skin makeup and skincare products are a great alternative.
Natural makeup products have no hidden chemicals to be absorbed into your body and are packed with rich nutrients for your body. Simple solutions like proper nutrition, detoxification, and exercise will also do wonders for your skin.
Nowadays, toxins such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals are found everywhere. The more we inform ourselves about the products we put in, and on our bodies, the better we will be at protecting ourselves. As you can see, most of the synthetic makeup and cosmetic products nowadays are filled with endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have long term negative health effects and you should avoid them at all costs.
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