There are many places where hormone and fertility disrupting chemicals are hiding in our daily routines. Think about how many bath/body/beauty products you use on a daily basis? Women on average use 12 products a day with 168 unique chemicals, versus men who use on average only 6 products per day with 85 unique chemicals per an EWG survey. That’s twice what men use! From your body moisturizer to your face wash, toothpaste, lipstick, mascara, shampoo, hair sprays etc the list gets lengthy! 

So what are some common places you may find these chemicals that can affect our reproductive systems, promote hormone dysregulation, among other health risks? 

Personal Care Products – may contain parabens

Parabens - methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben
  • They are used as preservatives to prevent mold/bacteria growth countless products. This includes cosmetics, lotions, creams, bath and body products, the list goes on. Parabens can also be found in pharmaceuticals such as liquids and topical products as well. Dempsey’s prescription multivitamin liquid I picked up from the pharmacy was loaded with parabens. I actually threw them out and found a different brand for her. 
So what’s wrong with parabens?

They are known endocrine disruptors. Parabens act in an estrogen like manner which can affect fertility, reproduction system function and development, and birth outcomes. Although they get absorbed and excreted in urine, the compounding use and daily constant exposure to them increases the amount found in urine samples. In rat studies, male sperm counts were decreased. Some of the parabens, propyl and possibly butyl, can alter gene expression which can also be harmful in contributing in development of breast cancer. You can find out even more detail here from the EWG post in parabens. 

What can you do?

Switch to products that are paraben free to start with – slowly changing out one product at a time. Most companies who are cleaner/non-toxic will include this in their labeling or ingredient FAQ.

Fragrance – may contain phthalates

Fragrance you can find in so many products including candles, air fresheners, plug in air fresheners, scented laundry products, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, face products, bath and shower products, traditional perfumes.

So what’s wrong with fragrance?

Companies do not need to disclose their fragrance ingredients, it’s not regulated that I know of. Fragrance can be ridden with phthalates. Phthalates are plasticizers found in anything from nail polish to scented laundry, shampoos, soaps, etc. They are known endocrine disruptors, affecting both men and women. Prenatal exposure can also potentially affect neurodevelopment in children, and there may be links to asthma and allergies. You can check out more detail on phthalates, what they are, and more alternatives for you and your family in my previous post here. 

What can you do?

Go unscented where you can – or essential oil fragrances instead of just “fragrance.” Avoid perfumes and air fresheners that don’t list the ingredients. Use bath and body products scented with real fruits and essential oils and flowers. Use essential oil sprays in your bathroom. Make sure companies you use are using phthalate free fragrance oils. Companies that are clean and truly non-toxic will be transparent with their ingredients and have a robust FAQ page. 

Plastics – may contain phthalates

Phthalates, in addition to hiding in fragrance, are usually also hiding in our plastic food containers, canned goods, plastic shower curtain liners, water bottles, plastic straws and cups, medical IV tubing. They are everywhere. 

What's wrong with Phthalates?

As mentioned above, they are known hormone /endocrine disruptors. 

What can you do?
  • Go for glass, silicone and stainless steel containers
  • Read labels for BPA free plastic and cans 
  • Try not to microwave in plastic
  • Can move foods into glass containers when you get from grocery store 

Laundry – may contain fragrance and phthalates

Conventional laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets are loaded with fragrance. Who doesn’t remember walking down an aisle of Target smelling all the different softeners to decide which one to purchase? Hi, it’s me, been there. That was before I knew what could be lurking in those traditional laundry products. Besides the harsh detergents and skin irritants, the fragrance is what worries me here. 

What's wrong with traditional laundry products?

Phthalates again, are found in most of these fragranced products, and again, can affect our reproductive systems. 

What can you do?

Opt for more natural laundry products with essential oils as their fragrances or phthalate free fragrance, ditch the softener and dryer sheets for wool dryer balls. See my previous laundry post for more details and recommendations! 

Sunscreen – chemical sunscreen specifically 

Chemical sunscreen ingredients include Oxtinoxate and Oxybenzone, among others Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene.  
What's wrong with chemical sunscreens?

They are hormone and fertility disrupting and carcinogenic and toxic to marine life. Oxtinoxate and Oxybenzone are the ones with the most evidence for reproductive health issues. You can read even more detail in my previous sunscreen post. 

What can you do?

Swap for mineral sunscreen containing only zinc oxide +/- titanium dioxide – bonus it’s safe for you and your young kids

To sum it all up:

It’s important to limit our exposure to the above categories of personal care products and home products where we can. There are so many clean options out there now to you instead. The hardest to avoid is honestly plastic I think! I do my best to use less plastic where I can, less fragrance, avoid parabens. but yes I do still have emergency zip lock bags for the freezer or for quick fixes. Yes I do have plastic containers and cups in my house, and it’s okay! I try to avoid where I can and am trying to switch more things as we go. You just have to start somewhere!

There are plenty of other ingredients out there and some more I avoid such as triclosan (in many antibacterial products), harsh cleaning products like bleach products and grease fighting products. But those are for another day. 

Cheers to your clean living journey wherever you may be! 

Xo – Sarah