How Makeup Impacts Your Hormone Levels

Most women are concerned with their hormone levels. According to Dr. Ann Steiner at Penn Medicine, women who are approaching menopause tend to worry about their hormone levels more than those in the reproductive stage of life, but anything from trouble conceiving to irregular periods can be traced back to hormone levels.

If you are experiencing any changes in your body and you are within reproductive age, you may be dealing with a difference in your hormone levels. According to NDTV, there may be an unlikely culprit behind these changes. It is believed that the chemicals within makeup products used daily can be shifting your hormone levels. Those involved with a study focusing on the correlation encouraged women not to panic, but simply to consider what is going into the products you're applying to your body regularly.

"What we should take away from this study is that we may need to be careful about the chemicals in the beauty and personal care products we use," said Dr. Pollack, head of the study. "We have early indicators that chemicals such as parabens may increase estrogen levels." So, how exactly does makeup interact with your hormone levels?

According to DermStore, there can be traces of hormone disruptors in various beauty products. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, otherwise known as EDCs, can be found in everything from water to personal care items. As a result, these chemicals can throw off your body's natural hormone balance. Unfortunately, too much exposure to these chemicals can cause weight gain, hypothyroid, infertility, adrenal imbalances, estrogen dominance, lowered sperm counts, obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancers.

Per Bustle, xenoestrogens are the source of concern when it comes to makeup products. "Xenoestrogens are found in makeup, and this is something that is used on an everyday basis," said Dr. Burt Webb. "Therefore every day, estrogen blockers are put into our bodies and don't allow the estrogens to work as well as they should."

The good news is, many makeup brands out there are already working towards eliminating harmful chemicals. Switching to a clean beauty routine can help you avoid these unwanted chemicals. According to Marie Reynolds, a skincare health expert who spoke with Elle, avoiding certain products is the first step to keeping your hormones in check. "I personally avoid parabens and phthalates in skincare and use mineral make-up where possible," Reynolds said. "I eat organic and do not drink tap water at all. The thing is to not over obsess but try to eliminate what you can. Making small mindful changes every day will make a difference."

While this may sound scary, some simple tweaks to your beauty regimen can make all the difference!