Beauty products are everywhere. We use them daily without knowing if they can harm our health, especially our reproductive health. Can beauty products affect fertility? Should we avoid them if we want to get pregnant? What are the problematic ingredients?
Calypso Cavallo tells you everything you need to know!
Can beauty products affect fertility?
Nowadays, more and more people are struggling to conceive. We can partly explain this phenomenon as people get married and start families later in life than the previous generations. However, this is not the only explanation. Genetics also plays a crucial role in one’s ability to conceive.
Another factor that may enhance existing fertility issues is the environment, especially all our products, including beauty products, which may affect our fertility if they contain an endocrine disruptor chemical. Those chemicals mimic sex hormones and cause infertility and cancers. They are also linked with neurological and immune disorders.
Once they succeed in conceiving, pregnant women should still be careful with the beauty products, as some ingredients harm their unborn child. Check our full article about skincare when pregnant.
Can beauty products affect fertility? Here are the most common beauty product ingredients linked with fertility issues:
- Lead
Lead has been used in cosmetics since Ancient Egypt, and it was not the best idea human had. Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal. Nowadays, we know that lead poisoning causes significant fertility issues and many other serious health problems that can be lethal.
The FDA determined a « safe » amount of lead in beauty products. They should not contain more than 10 MPP. However, avoiding altogether lead in products we could ingest is safer, such as lipsticks. Better check your lipstick’s composition to ensure it does not contain lead.
- Tricoslan
This ingredient is used to prevent bacterial contamination. It was used in acne medication and other beauty products to purify the skin. It is also a co0mmon toothpaste ingredient. We now know Tricoslan is an endocrine disruptor similar to BPA. We lack studies about its effects on women’s fertility, but it would decrease estrogen production and cause fertility issues.
- Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives in the cosmetic industry to prevent bacteria from growing in the formula. Most products contain other biodegrading ingredients to enhance conservation and lengthen the product’s shelf life. However, it has a significant flaw: it affects estrogen receptors and increases the risk of breast cancer and fertility issues. Men should also be aware of these beauty and personal care products as it decreases sperm quality.
Look for « methylparaben », « propylparaben », « butylparaben », and « ethyl paraben » in the ingredient list to avoid it.
- Phthalates
This ingredient is a solvent believed to affect sex hormones. A high concentration of phthalates would decrease sperm quality and reduce the efficiency of IVF treatments. This component is rarely present in the ingredient list under this name but is listed as « perfume » or « fragrance. » It is often present in nail polish, hair spray, shampoo, and soap.
Source: https://www.byrdie.com/how-beauty-routine-affects-fertility-4784002
Can beauty products affect fertility? Less is more!
Women experiencing fertility issues often get improvement after reducing their beauty routine to a minimum. Many beauty products or treatments, such as laser or botox injections, are not recommended for women trying to conceive. Carefully check the ingredients list of your beauty products to ensure they do not contain any harmful ingredients that could prevent you from getting pregnant.
Even if not trying to conceive, it is better to avoid nasty ingredients as they can cause numerous health issues, such as abnormal menstrual cycles or various cancers. You can check our full article about the link between skincare products and cancer.
