5 Sneaky Endocrine Disruptors in Your Daily Routine
Household, beauty, and food-based toxins that mess with hormones
We live in a world that’s increasingly saturated with chemicals—and unfortunately, many of them aren’t just innocently hanging out in the background. They’re actively messing with our hormones.
These chemicals are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). They interfere with your body’s hormonal signaling in subtle but significant ways, and over time, can contribute to issues like irregular periods, PMS, thyroid dysfunction, infertility, fatigue, weight gain, and even certain cancers.
What’s extra frustrating? Many of these chemicals show up in places that seem totally harmless—like your shampoo, nonstick pan, or favorite candle.
Let’s dive into five sneaky endocrine disruptors that may be hiding in your daily routine—and how to swap them out for safer options.
1. Fragrance
Where it hides: Perfumes, candles, lotions, deodorant, cleaning products, laundry detergent, air fresheners.
Why it’s a problem: "Fragrance" is considered a trade secret, so companies don’t have to disclose the chemical cocktail behind it—often hundreds of synthetic compounds. Many of these include phthalates, which are known to interfere with estrogen and testosterone signaling.
What to do instead: Look for products labeled fragrance-free or those scented only with pure essential oils. Use wool dryer balls with essential oils instead of dryer sheets, and try beeswax or coconut wax candles without synthetic scents.
2. Plastic Food and Drink Containers
Where it hides: Water bottles, Tupperware, food wrap, takeout containers, canned food linings.
Why it’s a problem: Plastics—especially when heated—can leach chemicals like BPA (and even its "BPA-free" alternatives) into your food and beverages. These compounds mimic estrogen in the body and are linked to everything from PCOS and infertility to insulin resistance and breast cancer.
What to do instead: Switch to glass, ceramic or stainless steel containers. Avoid microwaving food in plastic or drinking hot liquids from plastic cups. For on-the-go drinks, use an insulated stainless steel bottle.
3. Nonstick Cookware (Teflon)
Where it hides: Frying pans, bakeware, some "stain-resistant" fabrics and food wrappers.
Why it’s a problem: Nonstick coatings often contain PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily and can linger in the body for years. PFAS exposure is linked to thyroid dysfunction, reproductive issues, and developmental delays.
What to do instead: Choose cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic-coated cookware. And if you must use nonstick, don’t overheat it or use metal utensils that can scratch and release chemicals.
4. Pesticides and Herbicides
Where it hides: Conventionally grown produce, grains, wine, coffee, and even yard treatments.
Why it’s a problem: Chemicals like glyphosate and atrazine have been shown to act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormone receptors and reproductive health.
What to do instead: Buy organic when possible, especially for the Dirty Dozen (produce with the highest pesticide residues). Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and consider starting a small organic garden if you have the space.
5. Conventional Skincare and Makeup
Where it hides: Foundations, lipsticks, lotions, sunscreens, and more.
Why it’s a problem: Many beauty products contain parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone, and synthetic musks—all linked to hormone disruption. Since our skin acts as a sponge to what we put on it, these chemicals can enter the bloodstream easily, especially with daily use.
What to do instead: Simplify your routine with fewer, high-quality products. Use EWG’s Skin Deep database or the Think Dirty app to find cleaner options. Look for brands that fully disclose ingredients and avoid known EDCs.
What You Can Do Starting Today
You don’t need to be perfect or toss everything overnight. But even small, intentional swaps—like switching out your plastic water bottle or choosing a fragrance-free lotion—can lighten your body’s chemical burden.
Hormonal health is deeply influenced by your environment. Supporting your hormones doesn’t just mean taking the right supplements—it means reducing the things that throw them off in the first place.
Want help detoxing your daily routine and supporting your hormones naturally? That’s exactly what I help patients with, both in person and remotely. Let’s make your environment work for your health, not against it.