Fragrance chemicals in shampoos and body wash may disrupt hormones
This is an editorial summary of research originally reported by Environmental Health Perspectives / NIEHS. ProductSafer does not claim ownership of the underlying research. All intellectual property belongs to the original publishers.
Research may be outdated. This finding is over 18 months old. The underlying science may have been updated. Check the original source for the latest position.
Some fragrance chemicals found in everyday shampoos and body washes have been discussed in some research as possibly linked to hormone changes, though the evidence is limited. Products containing phthalates and synthetic musks may expose you to these chemicals during normal use.
The word "fragrance" on a cosmetic label can hide a cocktail of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Research has increasingly focused on two classes of compounds commonly found under this label: phthalates and synthetic musks.
- Reduced sperm count and motility in men
- Early puberty onset in girls
- Altered hormone levels in pregnant women
Synthetic musks (such as galaxolide and tonalide) are fat-soluble and accumulate in the body over time. Research has detected them in human breast milk, blood, and umbilical cord blood.
A study in *Environmental Health Perspectives* on reducing phthalate and paraben exposure from personal care products in adolescent girls was cited, though its results were not verified in this article Reported levels fell in that study, though the figures could not be verified against the full paper.
- Shampoos and conditioners
- Body washes and shower gels
- Perfumes and colognes
- Laundry detergents and fabric softeners
- Choose products labeled "fragrance-free" (not "unscented," which may still contain masking fragrances)
- Look for brands that fully disclose their fragrance ingredients (ProductSafer earns a commission on some links in this article)
- Use the EWG Skin Deep database to check product safety ratings
What you can doAI-generated
- ✓Switch your shampoo and body wash to products labeled "fragrance-free" instead of "unscented." The study showed phthalate levels dropped 27 to 45 percent in just three days after making this swap.
- ✓Read the ingredient list and avoid anything that says "fragrance" or "parfum" as a catch-all ingredient. Those words hide hundreds of chemicals including phthalates and synthetic musks that mess with your hormones.
- ✓Ask your laundry detergent and fabric softener brands whether they disclose their fragrance ingredients. If they won't, switch to unscented versions since these products add up over time and synthetic musks accumulate in your body.
- ✓Use the EWG Skin Deep database before buying any new cosmetic to check whether it contains phthalates or synthetic musks under its fragrance label.
Always consult a healthcare professional for personal medical advice.
Safer alternatives
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