CosBeauty Magazine #76

Feature
Xenoestrogens in
personal care products
Excess
oestrogen is
linked to such
conditions as
Breast, prostate and
testicular cancer
Obesity
Male and female infertility
Endometriosis
Early onset puberty
Miscarriage
Compromised neurological
systems
Diabetes
Aggravated menopausal
symptoms
Paraben preservatives
(Examples include methyl paraben,
ethyl paraben and propylparaben.)
Numerous studies have linked paraben
preservatives to oestrogen-mimicking
activity on living cells. There are now
many more preservative choices available
to formulators who wish to avoid adding
paraben preservatives to their products.
Phthalates
(Examples include dibutyl phthalate,
dimethyl phthalate and diethyl
phthalate.) Phthalates are solvents and
fragrance fixatives to make the scent last
longer. They are also used in hairsprays
to promote flexibility and movement
in hair.
Phthalates are often not listed on
labels as manufacturers are only required
to list: ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’, and not the
individual constituents of a fragrance.
Dibutyl phthalate is currently banned
in the EU. There have been findings
that excess exposure to phthalates during
pregnancy is linked to male infertility and
ADHD in children. Synergie does not use
phthalates or artificial fragrances and is
only formulated with essential oils.
Soy-based products
Soy is an oestrogenic ingredient which
can influence hormonal levels. Whilst
soy is not dangerous to the unborn
child, if you are prone to melasma
(large dark pigmented patches on the
face), soy products (including lecithin
and textured vegetable protein) may
worsen this condition during pregnancy.
Chemical sunscreens
In addition to its effects on humans as
hormone disruptors, the use of chemical
sunscreens (aka ‘organic sunscreens’)
by swimmers on our beaches has been
linked directly with environmental issues
and the sterility and the death of our
beautiful coral reefs.
Whilst any sunscreen is better than
none, opt for natural mineral sun
protection with zinc oxide giving broad
spectrum protection. It is wise to avoid the
following chemical-absorbing sunscreen
ingredients that have xenoestrogen
activity: Oxybenzone; Benzophenone;
Homosalate; 4-methyl-benzylidene
camphor; and Octalmethoxycinnamate.
A recent study looked at a population
of women in Iran. The findings indicate
direct correlation with xenoestrogen
exposure and the incidence of pre and
postmenopausal breast cancer. Results
showed that the onset of breast cancer
in Iranian women tends to be about a
decade earlier compared to Western and
North American societies. It was found
that Iranian women generally have higher
levels of exposure to plastics, petroleum
refining and other environmental
xenoestrogens. Furthermore, the closer
they lived to facilities and refineries that
produced these xenoestrogens, the higher
and earlier the incidence of breast cancer.
The skin is our largest and most highly
absorbent organ. It is highly vulnerable to
the impact of our external environment
and this includes personal care products.
The average woman absorbs over two
kilograms per year of chemicals from
skincare and cosmetic products and many
of these ingredients contain hormone
disruptors that have a questionable impact
on the human body.
This article is not intended to incite
fear and not every individual will be
directly impacted by oestrogen mimickers.
I do believe, however, that long term and
repeated exposure to xenoestrogens should
be avoided and consumers must be aware
of safer options. When given the choice,
I recommend choosing the ‘clean science’
in skincare and avoiding questionable
ingredients such as hormonal disruptors
which may negatively impact our cells,
tissues and organs. CBM
www.cosbeauty.com.au 71