In recent years, we have been hearing more and more about endocrine disruptors. The term is everywhere: social media, the media, marketing… to the point where it can become confusing, or even anxiety-inducing.
At Shakti, the goal is not to sensationalize, but to understand what we actually apply to our bodies, every day… and above all, in what quantity.
What exactly is an endocrine disruptor?
An endocrine disruptor is a substance capable of interfering with the hormonal system.
According to the World Health Organization, these substances can mimic a natural hormone, block its action, or alter its function. They are found in several categories of everyday products: cosmetics, plastics, household products, textiles, and food packaging.
What is important to remember here: it is not an isolated or one-off exposure that is problematic, but the accumulation.
Why are we talking about it so much today?
It is not just a trend. For several years, organizations such as the Endocrine Society or the ANSES have been documenting the potential effects of certain substances on fertility, hormonal development, and metabolism.
But it is essential to add nuance. The data varies depending on the substances, doses, and contexts of exposure. What science says today: some compounds are well documented (e.g., BPA, certain phthalates), others are still under study, and the cocktail effect—the mixture of several substances at low doses—remains difficult to measure precisely.
There are therefore real concerns… but not all substances are equal.
The real issue: invisible overconsumption
The problem is not just what we use… it is how many times we use it in a day.
Let's take a very current example. A young client who follows trends on social media can easily use, in a single day, several hair products, a body cleanser, a deodorant, a complete multi-step face routine, makeup, and perfume. Added to this are household products, textiles, and food packaging.
What we observe in the treatment room is not just a question of ingredients. It is skin that is often overstimulated, sometimes sensitized, sometimes more reactive, which receives a lot… without always having time to rebalance itself. We are then talking about cumulative exposure, but also skin overload.
According to the Environmental Working Group, a person can be exposed to dozens of different substances per day, often in small quantities. And that is where collective thinking is evolving: we no longer talk about a "good or bad" product… we talk above all about the whole.
The link with the skin: a dermo-aesthetic perspective
The skin is not just a surface. It is a living organ, equipped with a protective barrier and a microbiome. When we multiply products, textures, and active ingredients, especially without coherence, several things can happen: the skin barrier becomes more fragile, the skin becomes more reactive, tolerance decreases, and discomfort increases.
It is not necessarily an ingredient that causes a problem. It is often the accumulation, the layering, and the lack of coherence in the routine. In some cases, the skin no longer "works" effectively; it is simply in a constant adaptation mode.
Why the discourse is changing (and becoming valued)
A few years ago, the discourse was mainly focused on "avoiding dangerous ingredients". Today, it is evolving toward "reducing the overall load", because consumers are better informed, transparency is demanded, and overall health (hormones, fertility, skin) is taking an increasingly important place in purchasing decisions.
But also because we realize one simple thing: less, but better, makes sense.
What that means, concretely (without falling into extremes)
You do not need to change everything overnight. But you can start by simplifying your routine, avoiding the unnecessary layering of products, favoring shorter formulas when possible, and varying less, but choosing more consciously.
And above all: avoid fear. Because fear makes you consume differently… but not necessarily better.
A more conscious approach, without extremes
The goal is not to fall into fear or perfection. It is rather to develop a more conscious relationship with the products used — to understand that every step counts, but that it is the whole that makes the difference. And that the skin, like the body, works better in a stable, coherent, and respectful environment.
In summary
Endocrine disruptors are part of a scientific reality, but also an amplified discourse. What stands out today: it is not a question of perfection, it is not a hunt for ingredients, it is a question of balance and coherence. And above all perhaps: regaining a certain control over what we put on our skin, every day.
Sources World Health Organization: definition of endocrine disruptors, Endocrine Society: scientific reports on hormonal impacts, ANSES: risk assessment, Environmental Working Group: cumulative exposure to products