Hormone havoc: Are endocrine-disrupting chemicals in beauty products a real risk?

Reading labels, counting calories, steering clear of all things processed—we have become far more meticulous about what goes inside our bodies. The mantra is simple: in with the good, out with the junk. Yet that same scrutiny selectively extends to what goes on our skin. And while not all chemicals are harmful, beneath the gloss of daily beauty rituals and soothing self-care regimes may lie ingredients that can quietly creep in and disrupt the endocrine system, leading to serious health implications that go beyond what meets the eye. 

The endocrine system is responsible for producing and releasing hormones into the bloodstream. Hormones act as the body’s messengers, directing how we grow, develop, and function. The catch? This system is highly sensitive and can be easily influenced by environmental toxins, including certain chemicals found in everyday beauty products.

A SLOW BURN 

“They don’t poison you in one way,” says Dr Geoffrey Vaz, cosmetic dermatologist and Founder of Maven Aesthetics. “They interfere with hormones signalling in three main ways: mimic hormones and switch receptors on at the wrong time, block receptors so your natural hormones can’t do their job, or reprogramme the system by changing how hormones are made, broken down, and stored.”

Endocrine disruptors primarily enter the body through skin absorption and inhalation relevant for sprays and fragrances. The truth, however, is that ‘disruption’ is heavily dependent on the duration, timing of exposure, and individual susceptibility. “The issue isn’t a single perfume or one face cream, but cumulative, everyday exposure,” adds Dr Vaz. “It’s a combined load from multiple fragranced and leave-on products, alongside household aerosols.”

While some endocrine-disrupting chemicals are broken down and excreted relatively quickly, Dr Vaz warns that others are persistent and fat-loving (lipophilic), so they get stored in fatty tissue and build up over time, with slower clearance and longer ‘halflives’. 

The silver lining? “Your skin is a good barrier, so only a fraction actually penetrates systemic circulation,” believes Dr Kiran Sethi, medical director and Founder of ISYA Aesthetics. “Some ingredients are rapidly metabolised and excreted while others may linger briefly. Accumulation is possible in theory, but not well demonstrated at cosmetic exposure levels.”

THE LONG GAME 

According to Delhi-based consultant gynecologist and laparoscopic surgeon, Dr Amodita Ahuja, hormones act like the conductor of an orchestra—when even one instrument falls out of sync, the entire composition is thrown off balance, which can lead to several conditions, including growth and development problems, fertility and pregnancy issues, metabolism and weight changes, mood and mental health effects, and immune and long-term health risks.

Evidence shows that cosmetics containing BPA, parabens, and phthalates are linked to adverse reproductive effects. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals interfere with follicular development and ovulation, increase insulin resistance, and raise the risk of infertility, PCOS, and menstrual irregularities by disrupting hormone activity, promoting inflammation, and altering gene regulation.

“Certain life stages are biologically more sensitive to hormone disruptors, and this is well established in endocrinology and developmental biology,” she adds. “The most sensitive windows are puberty, pregnancy, and menopause—for different reasons. These are periods when the hormonal system is actively rewiring or rebalancing, which makes it more vulnerable to interference.”

During puberty, endocrine disruptors may contribute to earlier or delayed onset of puberty, irregular menstrual cycles, and an increased risk of PCOS-like symptoms, among other fertility-related issues. During menopause, they can exacerbate symptoms, affect bone density, and amplify fatigue and weight changes. Pregnancy is particularly critical, as the foetus relies entirely on maternal hormones. Disruption at this stage can affect brain development, reproductive organ formation, and metabolic and immune programming. 

“Timing matters more than dose, because hormones work in small concentrations and follow precise timing signals,” she notes. “During sensitive windows, even low-level exposure can have outsized lasting effects compared to the same exposure at a stable adult stage.”

BEAUTY BLACKLIST 

Contrary to popular belief, endocrine-disrupting chemicals in cosmetics are not exclusively synthetic; hormone receptors also exist in nature. Phytoestrogens in plants, certain botanical extracts, and essential oils can show hormone-like effects in laboratory settings. According to Dr Sethi, lavender oil and tea tree oil, for example, often escape the ‘clean’ beauty conversations and are deemed as hormone-safe. That said, Dr Ahuja warns that the important difference is that natural disruptors are temporary and weak, while synthetic disruptors can be stronger and longer-lasting.

In cosmetics, synthetic chemicals are more extensively studied because they are widely used, consistently present, and regulated. Common examples include parabens (preservatives), oxybenzone (UV filters), triclosan (soaps), bisphenols from packaging, and phthalates that extend fragrance longevity.

Instead of a blanket ban, however, the experts recommend adopting a balanced approach. Choose fragrance, paraben, and phthalate-free products, wherever possible, particularly avoiding leave-on and long-wearing formulas. Simplify your routine by using fewer products rather than chasing cleaner labels.

“Understand exposure, frequency, and leave-on use, prioritise the ingredients that matter most for your skin and life stage, and build a routine that is both safe and effective. Informed choices reduce anxiety; confusing marketing increases it,” Dr Vaz suggests.

RAISING ALARMS 

Endocrine disruptors do serve a genuine public health concern, and Dr Vaz believes that isn’t just hype. “The science isn’t based on one-headline study—it’s mechanical data, animal research, and human epidemiology, showing that hormone systems can be vulnerable to low, repeated exposures, especially during sensitive life stages.”

While endocrine-disrupting chemicals in cosmetics do raise alarms, at present, however, fear has largely outpaced the evidence. “They are a real, but relatively small contributor to hormonal risk,” says Dr Ahuja. “The problem is less about whether concerns exist and more about how they’re framed, amplified, and simplified. Current science supports measured caution, especially during pregnancy and puberty, but does not support fear-based claims that everyday cosmetic use causes infertility or widespread hormonal disease.” 

Marketing gimmicks, greenwashing, and a constant need to push words like ‘toxic’ and ‘clean’ often result in panic. “That doesn’t mean we ignore research—it simply means we interpret it responsibly. Regulation, transparency, and continued study are appropriate,” advises Dr Sethi.

Lead image: Getty

This article first appeared in Bazaar India's January 2026 print edition.

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