Makeup is meant to be fun. It’s the red lipstick before a big meeting, the concealer after a sleepless night, the mascara that makes you look awake when your cycle’s got you dragging. But here’s the thing: what we put on our face doesn’t stay on our face. Many everyday cosmetics contain chemicals that sneak past the skin barrier and into our bodies, sometimes messing with our hormones along the way.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are the sciencey term for this. These are ingredients that can mimic or block hormones like estrogen and progesterone, creating ripple effects through your cycles, fertility, skin, and even long-term health. The good news? Once you know what they are and where they hide, you can start swapping smart without tossing out your entire beauty bag.

Endocrine Disruptors 101

So, what exactly are we talking about? EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system — the network of glands and hormones that keeps everything from your menstrual cycle to your mood in rhythm.

They can:

• Mimic hormones (like estrogen), sending confusing signals to the body.

• Block receptors, stopping your real hormones from working properly.

• Disrupt balance, which can affect everything from ovulation to perimenopause symptoms.

“The skin is an organ. It’s absorbent. What goes on it doesn’t stay on it.” — Emma Peters, Aleph Beauty founder

The scary part is that these aren’t rare chemicals. They’re hiding in many mainstream beauty products, often under names you’d never think to question.

Where They Hide in Makeup

1. Fragrance / Parfum
The word “fragrance” sounds harmless, but it’s really a loophole. Brands can hide dozens of chemicals under this single word — and many of them are phthalates, known hormone disruptors used to make scents last longer.

2. Liquid Microplastics
Flip your mascara or foundation bottle and look for acrylates copolymer, styrene, vinyl polymer. These are liquid plastics that form a smooth film on the skin. They make products feel silky, but research suggests they can accumulate in the body and environment.

3. Nanoparticles
These super-tiny ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin. While the research is still emerging, many experts (and brands like Aleph) avoid them altogether.

Why Hormones + Makeup Don’t Mix

• PCOS & acne: Hormone-driven skin conditions can worsen with irritating ingredients like fragrance and plastics.

• Perimenopause: Shifting hormones already cause palpitations, hot flushes, and mood changes — the last thing you need is chemical interference.

• Fertility & pregnancy: Babies absorb what’s on your skin, too. Think about lotions, perfumes, and lipsticks when you’re kissing or cuddling them.

Emma shared on the podcast that even symptoms like heart palpitations — which doctors dismissed as “just one of those things” — turned out to be hormone related. It was only when she got integrative care and progesterone support that things shifted. That’s how big a role hormones play.

The Greenwashing Problem

The beauty industry loves buzzwords: clean, natural, non-toxic. But without regulation, these can mean anything — or nothing.

• A “clean” sticker might only mean a brand ditched parabens, while still using phthalates.

• “Cruelty-free” might only mean no animal testing — while still formulating with ingredients harmful to humans.

• Paid-for apps sometimes rank brands higher if they’ve bought into their system.

“Cruelty free has to be cruelty free to everything and everyone.” — Emma Peters

Transparency matters more than marketing. Always read beyond the label.

Quick Hormone-Friendly Swaps

• Ditch fragrance first. It’s the number one phthalate exposure source in cosmetics.

• Pick glass packaging. Water-based products stored in plastic can leach chemicals.

• Check mascara. If you see “acrylates copolymer,” swap for a plant-polymer version.

• Simplify your routine. Fewer layers = less chemical load.

The 7-Day Beauty Detox (no panic required)

Day 1: Audit your bag — circle anything with “fragrance” or “parfum.”
Day 2: Swap one daily-use item for a fragrance-free version.
Day 3: Google “liquid microplastics in cosmetics” and compare with your labels.
Day 4: Wash your brushes and start decanting creams to avoid bacteria.
Day 5: Try a natural perfume or go scent-free.
Day 6: Invest in one glass-packaged or take-back-scheme product.
Day 7: Track your skin and cycle in your notes app. Notice changes.

Wrap Up

This isn’t about fear. It’s about informed choices. You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to bin everything you own. Start with one swap — ditch the fragranced lotion, try a plant-based mascara, check your packaging. Small changes add up, and your hormones (and the planet) will thank you.