What's Lurking in Those Skincare Labels?

Have you been worried about your hormones? Whether we are talking about estrogen, thyroid hormones, or cortisol levels, one thing you may not have considered is what you are putting on your skin. It may have a bigger impact than you ever realized.

Your skin isn't just a barrier. It's living tissue. And what you put on it day after day gets into your body. And it matters.

Many conventional lotions, deodorants, and body washes contain ingredients that can act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they may interfere with how your body produces, transports, or responds to hormones.

Let's take a look at the biggest offenders and why they deserve a second glance.

Parabens

Common names for these include methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. 

Parabens are synthetic preservatives used to prevent mold and bacteria growth. On the surface, that sounds helpful. But parabens are known to mimic estrogen in the body.

Even small, repeated exposures may contribute to estrogen imbalance over time. For women already navigating PMS, perimenopause, thyroid concerns, or estrogen dominance, this matters.

You'll most often find parabens in lotions, creams makeup, deodorant and body washes.

The tricky part? They're inexpensive and effective preservatives, which is why they're everywhere.

Synthetic Fragrance (a.k.a. "Fragrance" or "Perfum")

This one might be the most misleading.

When you see the word "fragrance" or "parfum" on a label, companies are not required to disclose what chemicals make up that scent. It can represent dozens or even hundreds of compounds bundled under one word.

Many synthetic fragrance blends contain phthalates (more on those next) and other hormone-disrupting chemicals.

Fragrance exposure isn't just about skin. It can also:

• Irritate respiratory pathways
• Trigger headaches
• Add to your overall toxic load

If hormone balance is your goal, reducing daily chemical exposure wherever possible is a wise move.

Phthalates

Phthalates are often used to make fragrances last longer. They also help products adhere to the skin.

They are rarely listed! Instead, they hide inside one simple word. Fragrance!

Phthalates have been studied for their potential role in:

• Disrupting estrogen and testosterone signaling
• Affecting fertility
• Influencing developmental hormone pathways.

If you use something with fragrance once, that is not the concern. It's the repeated use of deodorant, lotion, shampoo, and body washes that add up over the years.

PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols)

PEGs are petroleum-derived compounds used as emulsifiers, thickeners, and penetration enhancers. They are easy to spot because they begin with PEG.

On their own, PEGs aren't necessarily the biggest hormone disruptors in the lineup. The concern comes from how they are manufactured and their ability to increase penetration. When you are using a product with toxic ingredients, increasing penetration might not be what you want to do.

What Next?

When you step back and look at it as a whole, this isn't about one "bad" ingredient. It's actually about the cumulative effect of small exposures, day after day. Your hormones run on delicate signals, and simplifying what you put on your skin is one of the easiest ways to reduce unnecessary interference. You don't have to overhaul everything at once. Try baby steps. What one change am I going to add to my routine this week?