A wide range of synthetic chemicals enter our bodies daily through what we touch, breathe, and use. This guide is designed to help you make more informed choices about the everyday products in your home.
Every morning, most of us follow a routine that feels perfectly normal: shampoo, body wash, moisturizer, deodorant. We do it without thinking. But according to the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, people may be exposed to endocrine disruptors through food and beverages consumed, pesticides applied, and cosmetics used — through diet, air, skin, and water.
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with your hormones — the messengers that regulate everything from your energy levels and sleep to your fertility and mood. Research suggests that even low doses of certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be a concern. The body's normal endocrine functioning involves very small changes in hormone levels, and some studies indicate that even these small changes can cause significant developmental and biological effects.
Much of your potential exposure comes from everyday products you can easily swap. Here are eight commonly flagged ones found in many bathrooms — and what to consider using instead.
1. Parabens — in your shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer
Parabens are preservatives used in cosmetics to extend shelf life. They're listed on labels as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben or butylparaben.
Parabens are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics due to their chemical stability and broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties — and they are acknowledged by some researchers as a category of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Some research has explored potential links to reproductive health: certain studies have examined butyl paraben in relation to sperm concentration, methyl paraben and sperm motility, and propyl paraben and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. These findings are still being studied and regulatory bodies continue to evaluate the evidence.
What to look for on labels: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben.
What to consider instead: products preserved with natural alternatives like vitamin E (tocopherol) or rosemary extract, or products labelled "paraben-free."
2. Phthalates — in synthetic fragrances and plastic packaging
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics flexible and to make fragrances last longer. They're often hidden under the single word "fragrance" on ingredient labels — which means you may not even know they're there.
Some research suggests that endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as parabens and phthalates may pose the greatest concern during prenatal and early postnatal development, when organ and neural systems form. Some studies have explored associations between certain phthalate exposures and birth outcomes, though research in this area is ongoing.
What to look for on labels: "fragrance" or "parfum" in any product, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP).
What to consider instead: products scented only with pure essential oils, or labeled "phthalate-free" or "no synthetic fragrance."
3. BPA — in plastic containers and food packaging
Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in hard plastic containers, the lining of canned foods, and receipts. Because BPA is structurally similar to estrogen, some researchers believe it may interfere with normal hormonal signaling.
Exposure to BPA appears to be widespread. Studies carried out in the USA, Germany and Canada have found measurable amounts of BPA in the urine of a large proportion of individuals evaluated — though the health implications of these levels continue to be studied by regulatory agencies including Health Canada.
What to look for: plastic containers with recycling symbol #7, canned foods, plastic wrap.
What to consider instead: stainless steel containers, glass, or silicone food storage to minimize plastic contact with food.
4. Triclosan — in antibacterial soaps and some toothpastes
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent added to soaps, body washes, and some personal care products labeled "antibacterial." Some studies have detected triclosan in human breast milk, blood, plasma, and urine, and research has explored its potential effects on thyroid, estrogen, and androgen hormone functions.
The U.S. FDA banned triclosan from consumer soap products in 2016, finding it was no better than regular soap at preventing illness — and that the risks outweighed any benefit in that category. In Canada, Health Canada has also restricted the use of triclosan in cosmetics and personal care products.
What to look for on labels: triclosan, triclocarban. Also be cautious with products labeled "antibacterial" or "odor-fighting" that don't list their active ingredients.
What to consider instead: plain soap and water — which research shows works just as well for everyday handwashing.
5. Synthetic fragrances — in almost everything
"Fragrance" is one of the most opaque words in cosmetics. A single fragrance formula can contain dozens of undisclosed chemicals — including phthalates, synthetic musks, and other compounds. Some researchers have identified synthetic fragrances in personal care and household products as a potential source of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure.
What to look for on labels: "fragrance," "parfum," "scent" — any of these can represent dozens of undisclosed chemicals.
What to consider instead: products scented exclusively with pure essential oils, or unscented products.
6. Synthetic dyes — in shampoos, soaps and body washes
Artificial colors in personal care products — listed as FD&C or D&C followed by a color and number — are petroleum-derived, and some have been studied for potential links to hormone disruption and skin sensitization. According to Lin et al. (2024) in Dermatology (Sage Journals), exposure to certain toxins found in personal care products has been associated with carcinogenic, obesogenic, or proinflammatory effects in some studies, and some of these compounds have been identified as potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
What to look for on labels: FD&C Red 40, D&C Yellow 5, any color + number combination.
What to consider instead: products colored naturally with plant extracts, or uncolored products.
7. Synthetic fabrics and chemical finishes — in your bedding, pillows and towels
Most people think about what they put on their skin. Few think about what their skin is in contact with for 7 to 9 hours every night.
Conventional bedding is often made from polyester — a plastic-derived fabric — or cotton treated with wrinkle-resistant finishes, synthetic dyes, and flame retardants. Some conventional textile finishes, particularly in products manufactured outside Canada and the EU where regulations may differ, have been studied for their potential to contain formaldehyde-based compounds (see: OEKO-TEX research on textile chemical safety). When you breathe with your face pressed against a pillow for eight hours, or sleep wrapped in chemically finished sheets night after night, that cumulative skin contact is worth considering.
The same logic applies to your bath towels and the clothes you sleep in — anything that stays against your skin for extended periods deserves the same scrutiny as your morning routine.
What to look for: polyester content, "wrinkle-free" or "easy-care" labels (particularly in products not certified to OEKO-TEX or GOTS standards), synthetic fill in pillows (polyester fiberfill, memory foam).
What to consider instead: bedding made from natural, biodegradable fibers — organic cotton, bamboo, silk, wool, or kapok. These materials breathe naturally, regulate temperature, and are generally free from synthetic chemical finishes.
8. Plastic microbeads and synthetic exfoliants — in scrubs and cleansers
Some exfoliating products still contain tiny plastic particles that not only end up in waterways but may also carry other chemicals against your skin. Research has explored how common plastic additives such as BPA, triclosan, and phthalates may be absorbed through skin contact.
What to look for on labels: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in scrubs or exfoliating products.
What to consider instead: natural exfoliants — loofahs, konjac sponges, pumice stones, and natural fiber brushes.
Where to start
You don't need to replace everything at once. That's not realistic and it's not necessary.
Start with what stays on your skin the longest — moisturizer, body lotion, deodorant. These have the most contact time with your body. Then move to what you use daily in the shower. Then look at your kitchen. And don't forget your bedroom — what you sleep on matters just as much.
One swap at a time is enough. Your body notices the difference before you do.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always read ingredient labels carefully and consult a healthcare professional if you have specific health concerns. Resources like the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database can help you evaluate the ingredients in your personal care products.
Sources:
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) — Endocrine Disruptors: niehs.nih.gov
Endocrine Society — Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: endocrine.org
Environmental Working Group — The Toxic Twelve Chemicals in Cosmetics: ewg.org
Zhang et al. (2024) — Interference Mechanisms of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Cosmetics. International Journal of Endocrinology, Wiley.
Lin et al. (2024) — Toxic Ingredients in Personal Care Products: A Dermatological Perspective. Dermatology, Sage Journals.
MDPI Endocrines (2024) — Synthetic Endocrine Disruptors in Fragranced Products.
Scientific American (2024) — What Does Plastic Do to the Endocrine System?
Stevens et al. (2024) — Plastic Food Packaging Contains Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. Environmental Science & Technology, ACS.
Health Canada — Triclosan in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: canada.ca/health-canada
OEKO-TEX — Chemical Safety in Textiles: oeko-tex.com