What are endocrine disruptors in cosmetics and how to avoid them?
We're hearing the term " endocrine disruptors" or "hormone disruptors " more and more frequently in the fields of health, nutrition, and cosmetics . This is because these small external elements are causing great chaos in our bodies.
How is this possible? What effect do endocrine disruptors in conventional cosmetics have on our bodies? How can we avoid them?
If you're interested in this topic and want to make sure you're buying quality natural cosmetics that are safe for your skin, keep reading this article.
What are endocrine disruptors in cosmetics?
Endocrine disruptors in cosmetics are chemicals that are external to the body, but present as ingredients in many cosmetics today . Once inside, they modify hormonal signals. You could say that these contaminants "hack" or interfere with hormonal messages. Sometimes they enhance them, other times they disrupt them, thus modulating and modifying the very important role of hormones.
And why is this so serious?
Because hormones play a very important role in the condition of our skin and our overall health.
Hormones are chemical molecules, very well designed by nature, that perform very specific and vital functions in our bodies: they are responsible for creating communication networks between the different organs of the body. They are like messengers.
When we apply a conventional cream from a brand that uses "endocrine disruptors," what we do is deposit a series of toxic elements into our skin, and therefore into our bloodstream (through our pores), that will interfere with the proper functioning and internal order of our body.
The fact that endocrine disruptors enhance or inhibit the function of certain hormones has a direct impact on our endocrine system , which is responsible for vital functions such as metabolism, growth, body development, and reproduction.
Furthermore, its effect is cumulative, unfortunately irreversible, and can even be transmitted from generation to generation .
It is therefore very important to know what hormone disruptors in cosmetics are and how to avoid them when making our self-care and beauty purchases.
List of endocrine disruptors in cosmetics
Below is a list of the most common hormone disruptors in cosmetics:
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Parabens: They can be disguised as isopropylparapene, propylparapene, isobutylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, and ethylparaben. When they penetrate the skin, they act similarly to estrogens, altering our endocrine system and having serious implications for women's menstrual and reproductive health.
- Bisphenols: are present in polycarbonate plastic containers or containers containing the symbol 7.
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Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: These are some of the preservatives that should be avoided in cosmetic products:
- DMDM Hydantoin: 1,3-dimethylol-5, 5-dimethyl hydantoin, Dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin,
- Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Benzyl Hemiformal
- 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
- 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3-Dioxane Diazolidinyl urea
- Polyquaternium .
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Sunscreens: Products with UV filters such as sunscreens are the most likely to contain endocrine disruptors such as:
- Benzophenone-1 ,
- Benzophenone-2 ,
- Cephenes,
- Cinnamates ,
- Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate .
They are used for their ability to protect from sunlight without bleaching the skin, but they are not a good solution, as they contaminate and poison us. When choosing your sunscreen , you should try to avoid chemical filters and choose products with 100% mineral filters .
- Phthalates: These are chemical substances that can be easily absorbed by the skin: Butylbenzyl phthalate , Dibutyl phthalate , Diisononyl phthalate , Di-isobutyl phthalate …
How to avoid hormone disruptors in cosmetics?
To avoid these types of problems and avoid making your cosmetics purchase a headache, keep the following in mind:
- Avoid plastic packaging.
- Use 100% mineral-based, eco-certified sunscreens .
- Buy cosmetics with organic certification , without allergenic perfumes or preservatives.
- Avoid products with scents or perfumes that are not based on organic essential oils specifically described in the INCI list.
If you don't buy natural and organic cosmetics, we do recommend taking some time to review the INCI lists of the products you use daily or more frequently: body creams, facial products, sunscreen, etc.
At Såper Organic Skincare, we invite you to let us help and care for you when it comes to facial and body cosmetics.
If you trust us, you won't have to constantly check the ingredient lists on your creams. We make sure that what you give your skin is of the highest quality, with the greatest nutritional value and the lowest environmental impact. Our mission is to give you back what's rightfully yours: your right to be healthy and feel strong.
