How what you put on your skin could be affecting your perimenopause symptoms

For years, I stood behind the salon chair surrounded by the scents of hairspray, color developers, and styling products. Like many women, I never thought twice about what was inside those bottles — after all, they were “professional.”

But here’s the truth I wish I’d known sooner: what we put on our skin and breathe in daily can directly affect our hormones.

The Beauty Industry’s Dirty Secret:

Most conventional beauty and haircare products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) — ingredients that can interfere with the body’s natural hormone function. These chemicals can mimic or block hormones like estrogen, throwing your endocrine system off balance.

Common offenders include:

• Phthalates (found in fragrances and nail polish)

• Parabens (preservatives in lotions and shampoos)

• Triclosan (antibacterial ingredient in soaps and toothpaste)

• BPA (in some packaging and plastics)

When absorbed through the skin or inhaled, these compounds can build up over time, affecting your thyroid, reproductive hormones, and metabolism. For women already experiencing hormonal changes during perimenopause, this added stress can make symptoms worse — think more hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, and stubborn weight gain.

My Turning Point:

After 25 years as a hairstylist, I developed carpal tunnel in my wrists and had to leave the salon chair behind. But looking back, I realize the chemical exposure also played a huge role in my thyroid issues and hormone imbalance.

Eventually, I found my way to an eco-friendly salon that used natural products, and the difference was incredible — not just for my health, but for my clients’. I started educating women on safer choices for themselves and the environment, and that curiosity led me to study nutrition at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN).

Now, as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N) specializing in perimenopause, I see the same pattern in many of my clients: symptoms that improve dramatically once they reduce their toxic load.

How to Protect Your Hormones:

You don’t have to throw out everything in your bathroom or kitchen overnight — small, steady swaps make a big difference. Here’s where to start:

1. Go fragrance-free. Synthetic fragrance is often a chemical cocktail hiding under one word. Essential oils should be the only fragrance you are smelling.

2. Simplify your routine. Fewer products mean fewer exposures.

3. Choose clean brands. Look for EWG Verified, Made Safe, or CertClean logos. Use aps like YUKA that analyzes cosmetic products by scanning their barcodes to decipher their ingredients.

4. Check your packaging. Avoid plastics marked with “#3” or “#7.”

5. Support your detox pathways. Hydration, fiber-rich foods, and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, kale, and cabbage) help your body eliminate toxins naturally.

Your Hormones Deserve Better

Perimenopause can feel unpredictable enough — the last thing you need is extra hormone disruption from your shampoo or skincare. The good news? Your body is incredibly resilient. With awareness and nourishing support, your hormones can find their rhythm again.

Switching to cleaner beauty isn’t about perfection — it’s about protecting your body, honoring your hormones, and creating a healthier environment for yourself and your family.