Hidden Hormone Hijackers: My Journey into Endocrine Disruptors and What You Can Do to Avoid Them
- Noemi LIFE Brief
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
I never used to give much thought to the products I used every day. If something smelled nice, looked good on the shelf, or promised glowing skin or a streak-free shine—I used it. No questions asked. But everything changed a few years ago, when I started diving deeper into the science of longevity, wellness, and hormonal health. What I discovered shocked me.
We are surrounded—literally surrounded—by chemicals that silently and persistently interfere with our natural hormone function. From the food we eat and the skincare we layer on, to the water we drink and the fabrics we sleep on, endocrine disruptors are hiding in plain sight.
One of the most overlooked sources? Everyday cleaning products. Many conventional sprays, wipes, and detergents contain synthetic fragrances, ammonia, quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), and glycol ethers—all of which have been linked to hormonal disruption. These ingredients can enter our bodies through inhalation or skin contact, and over time, may impact thyroid health, fertility, and immune function.
At first, I felt overwhelmed. How had I gone so long without noticing? How could I possibly detox my life without turning it upside down?
But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Small, intentional changes make a big difference. And once I started making those swaps, I began to feel a difference too—more energy, clearer skin, better sleep, more balanced moods. It’s like my body was saying, “Thank you.”
Let’s break it down, so you can begin this journey too—without panic, just empowered progress.
What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with your hormones. They can mimic natural hormones (like oestrogen or testosterone), block hormone receptors, or mess with how your body produces or breaks down hormones.
Why does this matter? Because hormones govern everything—from metabolism and mood to fertility, immunity, and sleep. Disrupting this delicate balance can lead to chronic fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, infertility, autoimmune conditions, and even cancers over time.
Where Do They Lurk? (And What Can We Do About It?)
Here are some of the most common hormone disruptors—and how I’ve learned to avoid them in my own daily life.
1. BPA & Phthalates
Found in: Plastic bottles, food packaging, receipts, and cosmetics
Why they're harmful: BPA mimics oestrogen. Phthalates mess with testosterone. Both disrupt hormone signalling.
Better choices:
Food Storage: Caraway, Pyrex, Wean Green, Glasslock
Drink Bottles: Hydro Flask, Klean Kanteen, S'well
Beauty & Skincare: Harrogate Organics, Green People, Evolve Organic Beauty
Children’s products: Pura stainless steel bottles, Eco Rascals bamboo tableware
2. Parabens
Found in: Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, makeup
Why they're harmful: These preservatives mimic oestrogen and have been found in breast tumour tissue.
Better choices:
Haircare: Harrogate Organics, Rahua, John Masters Organics,
Skincare: Harrogate Organics, Green People, Pai Skincare, UpCircle Beauty
Makeup: RMS Beauty, Ere Perez
3. Triclosan
Found in: Toothpaste, deodorants, antibacterial soaps
Why it's harmful: Impacts thyroid function and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Better choices:
Toothpaste: Boka, Dr. Bronner’s All-One, Georganics
Deodorant: Narta, Salt of the Earth, Weleda, Nuud, Ziaja
Hand Soap: Castile soap from Dr. Bronner’s, Attitude Super Leaves, Green People
4. PFAS (Forever Chemicals)
Found in: Non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, waterproof clothing
Why they're harmful: PFAS build up in the body over time and are linked to hormonal disruption, thyroid disease, and immune dysfunction.
Better choices:
Food wraps: Bee’s Wrap, If You Care
Clothing/Home: Coyuchi, Brass Monkey, Erverte, Livotte
5. Pesticides & Herbicides
Found in: Non-organic fruit, vegetables, and grains
Why they're harmful: Many act as endocrine disruptors, affecting hormonal pathways.
Better choices:
Organic produce: Local farmers’ markets, Riverford
Pantry staples: Clearspring, Hunter & Gather, Biona
Produce wash: Soak in a mix of water + apple cider vinegar or baking soda
Meal boxes: Riverford
6. Flame Retardants (PBDEs)
Found in: Mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpet padding
Why they're harmful: Interfere with thyroid hormones, and they accumulate in your body over time.
Better choices:
Mattresses: Saatva, The Little Green Sheep (for kids)
Sofas/Furniture: Eco-friendly lines from brands like Tetrad, Naturalmat, or Sofas & Stuff (Green Collection)
Rugs: Lorena Canals washable cotton rugs
7. Heavy Metals
Found in: Tap water, seafood, cosmetics, old pipes or paint
Why they're harmful: Lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium disrupt hormones, damage organs, and affect cognitive development.
Better choices:
Water filters: Berkey, Clearly Filtered, AquaTru, ZeroWater
Seafood: Wild Planet (for BPA-free canned fish), Fish4Ever, low-mercury options like sardines or wild-caught Alaskan salmon
Makeup: RMS Beauty, Ere Perez, Lily Lolo
Cookware alternatives to aluminium or copper: Enamelled cast iron (Staub), stainless steel (All-Clad)
8. Cleaning Products
Found in: Multi-surface sprays, disinfectants, laundry detergents, air fresheners
Why they’re harmful: Many conventional cleaning products contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like synthetic fragrance (often listed simply as “fragrance” or “parfum”), phthalates, glycol ethers, and quats (quaternary ammonium compounds).
These ingredients can interfere with thyroid and reproductive hormones, irritate the lungs, and contribute to indoor air pollution—making them especially concerning in homes with children or pets.
Better choices:
Surface + Multi-purpose Cleaners: Method (non-antibacterial line), Attitude, Purdy & Figg
Laundry: Bio-D, Seventh Generation, EcoEgg, Sonett
Air Freshening: Essential oil diffusers (Neom, Tisserand), activated charcoal bags (Moso)
DIY Option: Mix white vinegar, distilled water, and a few drops of essential oils (like lemon, tea tree, or lavender) in a glass spray bottle for a simple, effective all-purpose cleaner
Easy Swaps That Make a Difference
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start here:
Read labels carefully – Look for “BPA-free,” “paraben-free,” “phthalate-free,” and “PFAS-free.”
When it comes to cleaning products, avoid vague terms like “fragrance” or “parfum,” and steer clear of quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), glycol ethers, ammonia, and chlorine bleach.
Choose clean personal care products – Opt for brands that use plant-based, non-toxic ingredients.
Filter your water – A quality filter can significantly reduce exposure to heavy metals and hormone-disrupting chemicals.
Store food mindfully – Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers. Avoid clingfilm and single-use plastics.
Purify your air – Open windows daily, use air-purifying plants like peace lilies and rubber plants, or invest in a HEPA air purifier (e.g. AirDoctor, Molekule).
Support your body's detox systems – Eat cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage), stay hydrated, and incorporate infrared sauna sessions to aid detoxification.
A Final Word from the Heart
I’m not writing this from a place of fear—but from hope. When I started making these changes, it wasn’t because I was trying to be perfect. It was because I wanted to feel well, live well, and model that for my daughter. At Noemi LIFE, this is what we believe: the things you feed your body, your mind, and your home directly feed your life.
So take a breath. Start small. Swap one product this week. Then another next week. Progress is powerful.
And if you need inspiration, support, or trusted product ideas—we’ve got you. Our curated clean living collection is filled with the products we use ourselves. Because you deserve to thrive, not just survive.
Let’s build a better, cleaner, more vibrant life—one smart swap at a time.
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