- Author: Melanie Dell’Oro
So, what hormone cocktail have you had today? No, unfortunately, we don't mean a new party drink, we mean it very seriously. Shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, a little makeup and then maybe some mineral water from a convenient plastic bottle on the go and a quick reheat of a pre-cooked lunch in a Tupperware box - does that sound like things you use and do every day? Then you should pay close attention now, because all these everyday products and items can contain substances - endocrine disruptors - that can really mess with you and your cycle.
Endocrine what?
Endocrine disruptors. A complicated term for over 800 currently identified substances that accompany us almost continuously in our daily lives. They hide in decorative cosmetics, hygiene products, sunscreen, cleaning products, toys, plastic packaging, yes, even in your shower curtain and the receipt you just stuffed into your wallet. So in an astonishingly large number of things, although they pose many scientifically proven health risks. Irreversible developmental disorders in the unborn child, early puberty, reproductive disorders, estrogen dominance, testosterone deficiency or cancer of the reproductive organs are just a small selection of the effects that exposure to endocrine disruptors can have on us. In particular, so-called civilization diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, as well as learning and memory difficulties, are also in focus of research on endocrine-active substances.
Our hormone system
The disorders listed above occur because endocrine disruptors interact with our physiological hormone system and influence it. Our hormone system consists of 3 components:
- the endocrine glands (such as the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas)
- the hormones secreted by these glands (e.g. thyroid hormones, stress hormones or sex hormones)
- and the target cells on which the hormones act.
The hormones themselves are therefore signaling molecules that are responsible throughout our entire body for controlling development, growth, reproduction and also our behavior.
Endocrine disruptors influence the hormone system
At all these points, the substances classified as endocrine active can now act and cause harm. So far, 4 mechanisms of action have been established for the definition:
- Hormone receptor-mediated effect: Endocrine disruptors can bind to receptors due to structural similarity with hormones and thus weaken or enhance the actual hormone effect.
- Change in receptor activity: The activity of the receptors is increased or decreased by the amount of receptor proteins formed.
- Change in hormone concentration: Endocrine disruptors disrupt the production of natural hormones, their release or their transport in the blood and into the cells.
- Change in the breakdown of natural hormones: Endocrine disruptors disrupt hormone metabolism by, for example, inhibiting enzymes that are supposed to maintain the hormone balance.
Often, the exact mechanisms are not yet fully proven, but it is quite clear that endocrine disruptors alter the estrogen signaling pathway in women and interact with estrogen receptors and that they disrupt androgen receptors in men.
And who reappears? Good old PMS
Because endocrine disruptors interact with the estrogen signaling pathway in the female human body, so-called estrogen dominance can occur - simply: too much estrogen. Too much estrogen brings all the unpleasant symptoms that women* know as PMS (premenstrual syndrome). But not only headaches, tense breasts, weight gain or irritability go along with estrogen dominance. Long-term and serious consequences such as ovarian cysts, cycle disorders with fertility disorders or ovarian and uterine cancers can also arise from a constant excess of estrogen. So we should take a close look at which substances we are talking about here.
Where do I come into contact with endocrine disruptors?
As already mentioned, the substances that are endocrine active are found in almost all everyday items. For the most part, we absorb them through our skin: as an ingredient in cosmetics and sunscreen products, as a substance in printer ink or as an ingredient in mattresses and carpets, for example. Unfortunately, we also consume the substances through our diet. Here they find their use as pesticides in agriculture, as growth factors in livestock farming or simply as plasticizers in the packaging or storage containers for our favorite food. There are even many foods that contain endocrine disruptors - namely the so-called phytoestrogens. But you can breathe a sigh of relief, for no harmful effect on humans has been proven for the normal, varied consumption of very phytoestrogen-rich foods such as soy, beans, garlic, flaxseed, broccoli or kale. Quite the opposite, phytoestrogens reduce the risk of various types of cancer and protect against atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.
Focus on cosmetic products
The list of substances classified as endocrine disruptors is, as stated, very long. We therefore want to focus particularly on the substances in cosmetics in this article. According to a study by the BUND, around one-third of the cosmetic products available on the market contain endocrine disruptors. The industry argues that this is not a problem, since there are legal requirements for maximum limits for every substance. However, many of the products contain not only one of the substances, but a real chemical cocktail (Cheers!) and sometimes even substances that are classified in Category 1 of the EU priority list for hormonally active chemicals (Category 1 means highest priority, whose harmfulness is to be clarified).
Which substances are problematic?
Currently, these are 16 substances that, according to the INCI list for cosmetic ingredients, can also occur in cosmetics. There are already extensive studies on parabens and phthalates in particular:
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Preservatives: Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben)
Parabens are the most commonly used preservatives because they are considered particularly skin-friendly and effective. Despite the proven influence on the hormone system, they are often not replaced in cosmetics because other preservatives sometimes have an even higher allergenic potential. Methyl- and ethylparaben are considered safe, while propylene- and butylparaben are banned in products used in the diaper area for children under 3 years. Previously, other paraben variants were completely banned for use. Many findings about parabens come mainly from animal testing on rats, where the effect on the reproductive organs was particularly proven. It is interesting that the absorption of parabens through the skin in humans is higher than in rats and that the breakdown of parabens into the harmless product PHBA also apparently does not occur completely in humans and is slower than in rats.
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Denaturants: Diethyl phthalates (DEP)
Phthalates are often not visible on the label because they are mainly used to denature alcohol, i.e. to change it from drinkable to undrinkable alcohol (the industry thus avoids the tax on alcoholic beverages). If you are lucky, the ingredient list says Alcohol dent, but often it just says alcohol. Phthalates are associated with early puberty, reduced sperm count, low testosterone levels and benign prostate cancer. Besides cosmetics, phthalates are also found in tablets and capsules or house paint, wallpaper and toys.
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UV filters: Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-benzylidene camphor
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UV absorbers: Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-2
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Hair dye: Resorcinol
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Conditioner: Cyclotetrasiloxane
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Antioxidants: Butylhydroxyanisole (BHA)
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Bactericide: Boric Acid
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Skin care: Hydroxycinnamic acid
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Skin protection: Dihydroxybiphenyl
How can I tell if a product contains harmful substances?
Since all substances contained in a product must be stated on the label, you can try to memorize distinctive name components (e.g. -phthalates, -parabens) and then check them directly at the time of purchase. Another option: you avoid certain manufacturers and their product lines. You can find a list of manufacturers in the BUND information sheet “The Cosmetic Check - Hormone cocktail in the bathroom” .
But let's be honest, who can memorize all substances and know all manufacturers? Because there are so many complicated names and substances and these sometimes also come with different designations, it is easier if you install an app on your smartphone that analyzes the labels for you. The good thing is that it then not only tells you which endocrine disruptors are hidden in the product, but also which other unhealthy substances are contained (because there are also some of those).
The following apps have established themselves:
ToxFox: This app was developed by the BUND. The label scan tells you which substances are hidden in the product and if you are particularly annoyed by it, you can send a complaint directly to the respective company via the app.
CodeCheck: This app analyzes the label for you and also gives you additional information, e.g. whether the product is vegan. In addition, you can search directly on the CodeCheck website for products with certain ingredients.
But are there any alternatives at all?
Endocrine disruptors are found in almost all everyday goods. Avoiding them completely is almost hopeless. Nevertheless, there are some ways to reduce contact with products that contain these harmful substances.
- Cosmetics: Here you should opt for certified natural cosmetics. The emphasis is on certified, because only the seals of reputable organizations guarantee that certain substances were not used in production. Trustworthy seals are, for example, those from the BDIH, Natrue, Cosmos and Ecocert. For sunscreen, you should rather choose products that use a mineral filter. Here also make sure that the product is coral-friendly and avoid spray, as this increases the inhalation of harmful substances. Nail polishes often contain problematic solvents. However, manufacturers now provide the indication (“3-, 5-, 7- or 12-free”), that your product does not contain 3 to 12 of these substances.
- Cleaning products: For a variety of reasons, you should use established organic brands for cleaners.
- Make it yourself: Have you ever tried making cosmetics or cleaning products yourself? It is not that difficult, usually much cheaper and you have a complete overview of all ingredients.
- Food: Conventionally grown foods are often treated with pesticides. You can avoid these by buying organic food as often as possible. Fresh cooking and reaching for minimally processed foods reduces the likelihood that you consume problematic substances. Growth-promoting substances are used in factory farming, which are also found in the final product. So try as best as possible to avoid animal-based foods. Especially aquatic animals, which end up on our plates as fish or seafood, are constantly exposed to harmful substances soluble in water through our wastewater. As a result, these accumulate and are then consumed directly by you. So rather reach for the large range of plant-based (organic) foods.
- Plastic products: Here you can make sure that you choose products that bear the BPA (or bisphenol A) free seal. BPA is a plasticizer that occurs in both plastic bottles and toys, storage containers, etc. This substance has come under heavy criticism in recent years because it has been linked to prostate, uterine and ovarian cancer, early puberty and fertility disorders. Since then, manufacturers specifically indicate when their product is free of bisphenol A.
Fun fact to end with: Have you noticed that shopping lists are now blue? This is because BPA is no longer allowed to be used in printer paper for shopping receipts since 2020.
Statement Codecheck
In the original article, we recommended Codecheck here to check the ingredient lists of cosmetics. We have received voices from the community pointing out that there are inconsistencies regarding the sources and evaluation criteria for Codecheck. We have heard these voices and have listed relevant articles below that critically examine the Codecheck app. Feel free to form your own opinion on whether the app is an option for you and fulfills its usefulness for you.
All information written in our blog article comes from the sources we listed at the end of the article and is in no way related to Codecheck.
https://ivysveganpoison.com/2016/03/13/einige-kritikpunkte-zu-codecheck-info/ accessed on 28.2.22
https://www.incipedia.de/codecheck-marktforschung-in-gruen/, accessed on 28.2.22
https://www.magi-mania.de/codecheck-kritik-1/, accessed on 28.2.22
https://rp-online.de/digitales/apps/codecheck-zweifelhafte-app-fuer-kosmetik-check_aid-21489701, accessed on 28.2.22