Health & Beauty
Cosmetics chemicals and coral
Sunscreen and cosmetics compound may harm coral by altering fatty acids.
21 January 2019
This article first appeared in our International Women’s Day 2026 issue of My Green Pod Magazine. Click here to subscribe to our digital edition and get each issue delivered straight to your inbox
Despite vast improvements in women’s health, many cosmetics and personal care products still contain chemicals that have been linked to serious health issues.
A 2025 study commissioned by Breast Cancer UK found that a quarter of UK women use at least six different personal care products each day, which exposes them to an average of 168 different chemicals. While some of these chemicals will be innocuous – everything including water is, after all, a chemical – others are not.
Some are classified as endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interact with and disrupt the body’s hormonal systems. Many specifically interact with or mimic the female hormone estrogen in a process linked to the development of hormone-related cancers like breast, ovarian and thyroid.
Concern isn’t limited to intentionally added ingredients; a 2025 study by the Women’s Environmental Network found glyphosate residues in UK tampons that were 40 times over the limit for drinking water. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classed this powerful weedkiller as ‘possibly carcinogenic’ to humans; it has also been linked to Parkinson’s disease and reproductive issues.
Glyphosate residue on tampons is explained by the weedkiller’s use on cotton crops; it’s estimated that non-organic cotton – dubbed the ‘world’s dirtiest crop’ – uses nearly 5% of the world’s pesticides and 10% of insecticides.
Glyphosate absorbed through the vagina will directly enter the bloodstream, bypassing the body’s detoxification systems. If this level of glyphosate is deemed to be unsafe in our drinking water, how is it permitted in our menstrual products?
Thankfully there are products on the market, with clear organic certification labels, that can help women to make informed choices and reduce their exposure to these controversial chemicals.
Glyphosate and artificial pesticides are not permitted in organic farming, but in textiles the term ‘organic’ is not legally regulated the way it is in food and drink.
Look for tampons certified to the Global Organic Textiles standard (GOTS) to ensure they have only been made with organic cotton. Some GOTS-certified tampon brands include Mooncup, Natracare, We Are Riley and Yoni.
In cosmetics, none of the chemicals listed on Breast Cancer UK’s ‘A to Z Chemicals of Concern’ are permitted in products certified to international COSMOS Organic or Natural standards.
Click here to view Breast Cancer UK’s ‘A to Z Chemicals of Concern’
There are too many chemicals of concern to list in this article, but there are some commonly used ingredients that women should try to avoid.
Parabens are used in cosmetics as a preservative. On ingredients lists they will appear as methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben and propylparaben. The UN has stated that parabens are endocrine disrupting, even at low levels.
Triclosan is another preservative used to prevent bacterial growth; there is evidence it can have a negative effect on thyroid function and UK regulators are currently reviewing the evidence that triclosan and a similar ingredient, triclocarban, are endocrine disruptors.
Phthalates are used to make plastics more flexible, meaning they can sometimes be found in plastic-based period products. They are also often used as stabilisers or fixatives for artificial fragrances.
It’s very tricky to know whether or not a product contains phthalates; the ingredients list may just use a catch-all term like ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’.
Widespread use means nearly everyone will have been exposed to phthalates, though their use in many cosmetics increases the risk for women.
Chronic exposure to phthalates can lead to endocrine disruption and can have negative effects on multiple organs. Avoiding products that just list ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on the ingredients can help to reduce your exposure; COSMOS only allows phthalate-free natural fragrances in products.
Some artificial UV filters used in sunscreens have been linked to endocrine disruption. There’s evidence oxybenzone, also called benzophenone-3, is endocrine disrupting, even at the levels normally used in sunscreen. The European Food Standards Agency has classed oxybenzone as ‘persistent, bio-accumulative, toxic, and a possible human carcinogen and endocrine disruptor.’
Oxybenzone has already been banned from sunscreens sold in tropical regions like Hawaii, Palau and Thailand due to the negative impact it has on coral reefs and marine life. However, oxybenzone is still allowed in sunscreens sold in the UK and the EU.
Looking for sunscreen with natural mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide will ensure you still get effective sun protection without hidden nasties.
Most of these chemicals are difficult to avoid, but altering the products you use every day is a good first step to reducing your chemical load. Look for the COSMOS or Soil Association logo on the products you buy for a quick way to ensure you’re getting a clean product that won’t cost the earth.
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