Endocrine disruptors in cosmetics: how to avoid them?

Endocrine disruptors are chemical agents that can deregulate the hormonal system. The problem? They are found everywhere: in our diet, in our daily products and even in the environment! Many cosmetics also contain ... flacons The UFC-what to choose is the iron spear of the endocrine anti-disturbing movement. With the help of consumers, the association maintains a list of cosmetic products to substances judged as "unwanted", including the famous endocrine disruptors. Today, this list counts several thousand products, classified in 8 universes: deodorants and perfume, makeup, solar products, body care, Dental hygiene products, Baby and children's products, hair care and facial.

To banish in children under 3, teenagers and pregnant women

What to choose even offers a " Bankcase card of toxic molecules To identify unwanted substances: Allergens, irritants and endocrine disruptors. Here are their list of endocrine disruptors to avoid:

  • Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-3
  • BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole)
  • Bht
  • Butylparaben, butylparaben potassium or sodium butylparaben
  • Cyclopentasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxancy, cyclomethicone
  • Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
  • Propylparaben, potassium propylparaben or sodium propylparaben
  • Triclosan

The association specifies that these risk substances " are even more worrying in non-ringed products ". In general, they are banned in children under 3 years old, teens and pregnant women.

Do not confuse endocrine disruptors, allergens and irritating

Endocrine disruptors interfere with the hormonal system, and can cause sterility, malformations, cancers ... from their sides, allergens do not necessarily pose a problem From the moment it is a rinsed product, like a shampoo or shower gel. And even less when the user does not have allergic land. In organic products, allergens usually come from essential oils, where they are naturally present. And irritating products in all that? Carole Breux, R & D Manager at Coslys, explains that molecules such as sodium laureth sulphate (SLS) or ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) "isolated, are very irritating. But the role of the formulator is to reduce their irritating character by adding other raw materials. And the proof is that our finished products, which are obligatorily tested in cosmetics on their potential for eye and skin irritation, stand out little irritating, or not irritating at all. "

Choosing cosmetics without endocrine disruptors

While endocrine disruptors are legion in the composition of cosmetics, how to avoid them? Not to apply for tube cancer on the face, it is better to Choose organic cosmetics. Indeed, these products respect charters - more or less strict - concerning the prohibited ingredients. By choosing labeled products Cosmébio Or Ecocert, such as Coslys products, you have the guarantee of a transparent composition and non-polemic ingredients. In addition by choosing bio treatments you limit the risk of finding paraben, phenoxyethanol, petrochemical derivative, sulfate, etc. But by checking the composition they have not been replaced by other harmful substances. In case of doubt, you can always use The Apple "SomeCOSMETIC", the UFC-What to choose. A gesture is sufficient: by scanning the barcode of your cosmetic, the rating of the association appears. Practical!