Have you heard of Endocrine Disruptive Chemicals (EDCs)? DO you know what they are? EDCs are chemicals can imitate and destroy hormones while creating internal signaling errors that can lead to premature cell death. EDCs have been proven to accumulate in hormone-producing organs -resulting in organ malfunctions and irreversible damage.
While natural EDCs are normally found in plants such as soy (known as phytoestrogens), most EDC-compounds come from synthetic chemicals and should be avoided whenever possible. This is because certain EDCs can alter brain functions (neural transmission, and the formation of neural networks) -thus implicating EDCs in the cause of neurological disorders. Studies have shown that continuous exposure to EDCs can be associated with depression and could result in serious brain damage.
The most common types of EDCs in the cosmetics industry include parabens, pesticides, plastics, and phthalates. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked EDCs to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers. These are serious illnesses that hopefully inspire us as consumers to more vocally and consistently demand for safer cosmetics ingredients, as well as packaging. Several organizations have created apps that can easily assist in evaluating the safety of product ingredients. So the next time you reach for a cosmetic product, check out the safety rating using platforms such as Think Dirty, SkinSafe, and EWG’s Skin Deep.