7 Everyday products that could be disrupting your hormones (and how to swap them)

Your home should be your sanctuary, it should be a place to rest, reset and feel well. But did you know that some of the everyday products you use might be quietly impacting your hormones?

Hormone disruptors may lurk in the most unlikely places, including in your kitchen cupboards and in bathroom shelves. These chemicals can mimic estrogen, affect your thyroid and even impact your fertility. But you can do something about it! 

Here are some sneaky products that could be impacting your hormones - and what you can replace them with to create a low-tox environment that truly benefits your body.

1. Plastic containers (BPA & phthalates)

Plastic containers are convenient, but they can mimic estrogen in the body, leading to hormonal imbalance, including using chemicals like BPA and phthalates, which are a major source of estrogen imbalance. 

Swap it: Store food in glass, stainless steel or BPA-free silicone containers. These are safe and hormone-friendly.

2. Scented candles & air fresheners (synthetic fragrances).

That sweet-smelling candle may be doing more than mood-setting. The word “fragrance” sometimes conceals endocrine disrupting phthalates. Swap it: Use beeswax candles, essential oil diffusers or just open a window and let the fresh air in.

3. Nonstick cookware (PFOA & PFAS).

Nonstick pans may make cooking easier but the chemicals PFOA and PFAS, sometimes called "forever chemicals", can interfere with thyroid function and fertility over time. 

Swap it: Choose cast iron, stainless steel or ceramic cookware, all safe and longer lived options.

4. Cleaning products (Ammonia, bleach and fragrance).

Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals linked to hormone disruption and respiratory issues. 

Swap it: Make your own vinegar-based cleaners or take one from an eco-friendly brand like Branch Basics or Koala Eco, which are non-toxic. Your health doesn’t need to compromise with cleaning and it can work.

5. Personal care products (Parabens & sulfates).

Preservatives such as parabens and harsh detergents such as sulfates are often used in cosmetics and skincare and can mimic estrogen in the body. 

Swap it: Switch to clean beauty brands with a view toward ingredient transparency. Your skin takes in more than what you put on itself, make it count.

6. Receipts (Thermal paper with BPA).

Thermal paper receipts are not the same as paper, they’re sometimes laden with BPA, which gets absorbed through your skin and behaves like a xenoestrogen. 

Swap it: If possible, say no to receipts, or wash your hands after handling them. If you have to touch receipts often, gloves also do the trick.

7. Tap water (Pesticide & pharmaceutical residues).

Even the water we drink has very small amounts of hormones, pesticides and heavy metals that might affect our health. 

Swap it: Choose alkaline or spring water instead of regular water, or apply a high quality water filter so you won’t be exposed.

Your home should support your wellbeing. Making simple swaps in your everyday products can decrease exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals while helping you create a nourishing environment for your body. Your hormones and your overall health deserve a low-tox home.