Daily products are cosmetic and personal care items, but many of them include chemicals, which can interfere with hormonal balance and do not produce the necessary impact. Others are the endocrine disruptors known as parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde releasers and synthetic fragrances that have the ability to disrupt estrogen, thyroid, and reproductive hormones.
Exposure on a regular basis (since teddy-hood) has been implicated in hormonal imbalance, early puberty, reproductive problems, thyroid malfunctioning, skin hypersensitivity and long-term metabolic consequences. The risk is compounding with the continuous use of various products that may not be aware of the safety of the ingredient they are using.
In the marketing, beauty and confidence are emphasized and the risks of health are minimized. Other products which may be harmful to consumers stay in the market without being regulated appropriately, have deceptive labels and consumers do not know them.
It will require safer formulations, greater regulation, labels that are transparent, and conscious consumer decision making so as to safeguard long-term health. Hormonal health should not be sacrificed in order to attain beauty.
Do you read the labels of cosmetic ingredients before use or are you a law-abiding citizen who believes what is printed on the product?
MBH/AB