The Hidden Hormone Disruptors in Your Make-Up Bag (and Easy Swaps to Make)
- Rachael Robinson
- Oct 11
- 5 min read
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Learn how everyday beauty products can impact hormone balance and fertility.
Discover practical swaps to reduce your exposure without overhauling your routine overnight.
Understand key endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and where they hide in make-up and nail care.
Low tox living has become a growing conversation, and for good reason. More people are realising how daily exposure to chemicals in our environment can affect hormone balance, egg and sperm quality, and overall fertility. In clinic, one of the questions I hear most often is, “Where do I begin?”
I felt the same when I started out in the world of fertility and doing whateer I could to support my eqq quality. The truth is, you don’t need to throw everything out and start again. Instead, focus on small, meaningful swaps. Start with the products you use most often or those that cover the largest surface areas of your skin. As you run out of something, replace it with a cleaner alternative. This gentle, stepwise approach helps lower your toxic load without overwhelm, and it adds up over time.
Why Make-Up and Nail Products Matter
The skin is our largest organ and absorbs much of what we put on it. While beauty products can help us feel confident, many contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), compounds that mimic or interfere with natural hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Research links EDC exposure to disrupted menstrual cycles, reduced egg quality, poorer sperm parameters, and even longer time to conception. For couples preparing for conception or IVF, reducing these exposures can make a real difference to hormone balance and reproductive outcomes.
Common Endocrine Disruptors Found in Beauty Products
The table below highlights some of the most common EDCs found in cosmetics, nail care, and everyday household products — along with their effects on fertility and where they are typically found.
Make-Up: Where to Start
A great first step is to look at the products that cover the largest surface areas, typically foundation, tinted moisturiser, or powder. Since these sit directly on your skin for hours, they’re worth swapping first.
Prioritise
Go make-up free a few days a week to give your skin a break.
Choose clean brands free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance.
Some of my favourite low-tox options include: Inika, Ere Perez, Ilia, PHB Ethical Beauty, Antipodes, Lily Lolo, Dr Hauschka.
Avoid or Limit
Conventional foundations and mascaras listing “parfum”, parabens, or phthalates.
Long-wear or waterproof formulas often contain more chemical stabilisers.
If you’re not sure how your current products rate, apps like Yuka or Think Dirty can help assess toxin levels. They make it easier to compare and choose safer options.
Face and Body Creams
Next, look at your skincare and body products — especially those you apply daily to large areas.
Prioritise
Swap your body lotion first, then face cream or serum.
Look for brands like Weleda,, Pai, Moogoo, Green People, Aurelia, Neal’s Yard, or Tropic.
Choose products labelled “fragrance-free” or “paraben-free”.
Avoid or Limit
Products listing synthetic fragrance, PEGs, or mineral oil high on the ingredient list.
Perfume and Fragrance
Perfume is one of the biggest hidden sources of phthalates. These chemicals help scents last longer but can disrupt hormones.
Prioritise
Go fragrance-free most days.
If you wear perfume, spray it on your clothes rather than your skin.
Low-tox lines include Henry Rose, Abel, Skylar, Medeau, and Recreation.
Avoid or Limit
Mainstream perfumes that list “fragrance” or “parfum” without full ingredient disclosure.
Keep use to a few times per week rather than daily.
Nail Care
Nail varnishes and salon treatments can contain solvents, formaldehyde, and benzenes — all known endocrine disruptors.
Prioritise
Use low-tox polishes such as Earthy, Nailberry, or Zoya.
Apply polish outdoors or near an open window to minimise inhalation.
Choose organic salons like Hair Organics, Butchers Salon, or Rococo Organic.
Avoid or Limit
Acrylic nails and long sessions in poorly ventilated salons.
Gel lamps that emit UV and heat can also stress nail health and release fumes.
If you’re painting your nails at home, open a window, wear a mask, and take regular breaks.
A Gradual Approach That Works
The aim isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Reducing toxic exposure is about lightening your body’s overall load so that it can focus on hormone regulation, detoxification, and fertility.
Start small and build habits over time. As you see improvements in skin health, energy, or menstrual cycles, you’ll feel more motivated to continue.
Conclusion
Supporting fertility and hormone balance isn’t only about diet and supplements — it’s also about the environment your body lives in. The beauty and nail products we use daily can be powerful sources of chemical exposure. By swapping strategically and consistently, you can make a meaningful difference to your hormonal health and fertility journey.
What Next?
If you’re ready to start your low-tox journey but feel unsure where to begin, book a consultation with me. We’ll go through your current routine, identify easy swaps, and create a realistic plan to support your fertility and overall wellbeing.
Arrange a 1:1 session with me to create a personalised, practical strategy for the months ahead. You don’t need to figure it out alone—I'm here to support you every step of the way.
[Please do reach out via the contact form and we can discuss how best to support you]
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