The Invisible Risks on Your Beauty Shelf: Understanding VOCs and Endocrine Disruptors
Every day we reach for personal care products; creams, perfumes, and sprays without a second thought about their ingredients. I know I did before my twin pregnancy, and by the time my third was on board I was totally fed up with googling “is this harmful for pregnant women…”, “can pregnant women use…” and “Is this ok for pregnancy…”. Why should we have to worry what is going on our skin? Even when women aren’t pregnant, this shouldn’t be something we have to worry about. Heaven knows, looking after our kids is enough.
The issue is lurking within many of these common items are chemicals that may pose significant health risks, especially to expectant mothers. Two primary culprits are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
What Are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that easily become vapors or gases at room temperature. Commonly found in products like hair sprays, nail polishes, and perfumes, VOCs contribute to indoor air pollution. Exposure to certain VOCs has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems and neurological effects.
Volatile Organic Compounds are carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. In perfumes, they’re responsible for that beautiful sillage (the lovely trail a scent leaves behind), but they can also:
Trigger headaches, allergies, or asthma
Contribute to indoor air pollution
Include potential endocrine disruptors or carcinogens, depending on the compound
Common VOCs in synthetic perfumes include:
Limonene
Linalool
Benzyl acetate
Phthalates (used as fixatives — known hormone disruptors)
Understanding Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the body's hormonal system, potentially leading to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and increased cancer risk. EDCs such as phthalates, parabens, and phenols are prevalent in many beauty products. Research indicates that exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy can alter maternal hormone levels, which may impact foetal development.
Why This Matters for Mothers
Pregnancy is a critical period when both the mother and developing foetus are particularly vulnerable to environmental exposures. The presence of EDCs in personal care products is concerning, as these chemicals can cross the placental barrier, potentially affecting the baby's development.
Not all perfumes however contain harmful VOCs. That said, even some natural plant-derived ingredients technically classify as VOCs due to their volatility, think essential oils, ethanol, or plant terpenes.
The key difference lies in:
Whether they are harmful or non-toxic
How they are processed
Whether they are used at appropriate concentrations
Why should you have to give up smelling good? You’ve already given up your whole body as a home for this new life, at De(ux) Mains we believe that you shouldn’t have to compromise on smelling good, and taking that little time for yourself.
Taking Action: Your Choices for You and Your Baby
Awareness is the first step toward reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. Here are some practical measures:
Read Labels Carefully: Familiarize yourself with ingredient lists and be cautious of products containing phthalates, parabens, and other known EDCs. At De(ux) Mains all of our ingredients are clearly labelled.
Choose Natural Fragrance: Synthetic fragrances can be a source of VOCs and EDCs. De(ux) Mains is proud to be exclusively natural fragrance.
Ventilate Your Space: Ensure good airflow when using beauty products to minimize inhalation of volatile compounds.
Seek Out Transparent Brands: Support companies that prioritise ingredient transparency and formulate products without harmful chemicals. De(ux) Mains works hard to ensure that all formulations from start to end are natural, free from harmful synthetics and endocrine disruptors.
Understanding the potential risks hidden in everyday beauty products empowers you to make informed choices for yourself and your family.
At De(ux) Mains Perfumery:
We specifically avoid:
Synthetic VOCs linked to hormone disruption
Petroleum-based binders and artificial fixatives
Phthalates, parabens, and alcohol
Instead, we rely on naturally derived compounds from Australian botanicals, designed to be:
Delicate for pregnancy and breastfeeding
Low-tox and baby-closeness approved
Emotionally grounding, not overwhelming
When you’re picking up De(ux) Mains Perfume you know you can take one more thing off the mental load list. No need to google. Smell good, feel great and know you’re all good.
For further reading, please consult the following sources:
Kurowska, P.; Mlyczyńska, E.; Dawid, M.; Respekta, N.; Pich, K.; Serra, L.; Dupont, J.; Rak, A. Endocrine disruptor chemicals, adipokines and reproductive functions. Endocrine 2022, 78, 205–218.
Rolfo, A.; Nuzzo, A.M.; De Amicis, R.; Moretti, L.; Bertoli, S.; Leone, A. Fetal-Maternal Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors: Correlation with Diet Intake and Pregnancy Outcomes. Nutrients 2020, 12, 1744.
Duh-Leong, C.; Maffini, M.V.; Kassotis, C.D.; Vandenberg, L.N.; Trasande, L. The regulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals to minimize their impact on health. Nat. Rev. Endocrinol. 2023, 19, 600–614.
