By Dr. Justin Marchegiani, DC, IFMCP
With more than 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products—and nearly 1 in 8 classified as industrial chemicals—it’s more important than ever to become an informed consumer. Many of these compounds are endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, allergens, or neurotoxins that wreak havoc on your health over time.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll reveal the “Dirty Dozen” ingredients to avoid in your daily personal care routine, explain how they impact your health (especially your hormones), and show how functional medicine lab testing can help assess your exposure and detox capacity.
Used in: Lipsticks, moisturizers, food preservatives
Why avoid: These synthetic antioxidants are used to extend shelf life but have been linked to liver, kidney, and thyroid toxicity, as well as potential tumor promotion and hormone disruption.
Health risk: The European Commission classifies BHA as a Category 1 endocrine disruptor. Functional medicine testing can assess oxidative stress and liver detox enzymes impacted by these toxins.
Used in: Hair dyes, colored cosmetics
Why avoid: These petroleum-derived dyes often contain heavy metals like aluminum and lead—linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
Health risk: Chronic exposure contributes to toxic burden and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hair dye use has also been associated with increased bladder cancer risk.
Used in: Shampoos, soaps, cleansers
Why avoid: These foaming agents may seem harmless but can react with other ingredients to form nitrosamines—a class of potent carcinogens.
Health risk: Known to disrupt thyroid hormones and cause organ toxicity. Lab testing can reveal thyroid suppression and Phase I/Phase II liver detox overload.
Used in: Nail polish, fragrances
Why avoid: Absorbs easily through the skin, disrupts reproductive hormones, and is linked to developmental toxicity.
Health risk: Associated with lower sperm counts and birth defects. Pregnant women should avoid nail polish with DBP entirely.
Used in: Nail hardeners, hair straightening products, shampoos
Why avoid: Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen used to embalm dead bodies. It can off-gas into the air or be absorbed through your skin.
Ingredients to watch: DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, diazolidinyl urea.
Used in: Lotions, cosmetics, deodorants
Why avoid: These hormone-mimicking preservatives are detected in breast cancer tissues and interfere with estrogen signaling.
Health risk: May promote estrogen dominance—a common hormonal imbalance I see in many patients. DUTCH and OAT testing can help measure these disruptions.
Used in: Everything from shampoo to air fresheners
Why avoid: This term is a catch-all that can legally hide up to 3,000 unlisted chemicals, many of which are allergens, hormone disruptors, and even neurotoxins.
Health risk: Commonly linked to asthma, migraines, and mood disturbances.
Used in: Creams, lotions, conditioners
Why avoid: PEGs are penetration enhancers that may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane—a probable human carcinogen.
Health risk: Alters the skin barrier and affects fetal development. Lab testing can identify genotoxicity markers and glutathione depletion.
Used in: Fragrances, nail polish, plastics
Why avoid: These plasticizers have been shown to decrease testosterone and impair thyroid function.
Health risk: Can cross the placenta and are linked to early puberty and infertility.
Used in: Lip balms, baby oil, lotions
Why avoid: Derived from crude oil and often contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic.
Health risk: Contributes to skin irritation, allergies, and impaired detoxification pathways.
Used in: Hair products, skin smoothers, antiperspirants
Why avoid: These silicone-based compounds are linked to endocrine disruption, infertility, and bioaccumulation in fat tissues.
Health risk: Can interfere with progesterone and testosterone. Hormone panels help detect imbalances due to exposure.
Used in: Antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpaste
Why avoid: This antimicrobial agent contributes to antibiotic resistance and thyroid dysfunction.
Health risk: Studies show triclosan lowers thyroid hormones and impairs microbiome balance—a critical part of immune function.
If you’ve been using conventional beauty products for years, don’t panic—but do consider lab testing to assess your toxic burden and detox pathways. Here are some key tests I use with patients:
Organic Acids Test (OAT): Identifies oxidative stress, liver detox capacity, mitochondrial function, and markers of environmental toxicity.
Comprehensive Stool Test: Assesses the gut microbiome, which plays a major role in detox and hormone metabolism.
DUTCH Hormone Test: Evaluates estrogen metabolites and how your body clears excess estrogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Heavy Metals Panel: Screens for aluminum, lead, mercury, and cadmium—often found in synthetic dyes and beauty products.
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start small:
Check your current products using the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep database.
Replace the worst offenders first—like deodorant, moisturizer, and lip products, which stay on your skin the longest.
Choose certified organic or EWG Verified™ products when possible.
Avoid products with “fragrance,” “parfum,” or unpronounceable ingredients.
Book a consultation to get personalized detox and hormone support.
If you’re experiencing hormone imbalances, fatigue, skin issues, or fertility challenges, these toxins may be contributing. The good news? You can heal.
👉 Click here to schedule a free consultation with Dr. J
Together, we’ll uncover your toxic burden, optimize your hormones, and build a sustainable detox plan tailored to you.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Chronic Food Allergies and Sensitivities: What’s Really Causing Them | Podcast #451
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