The Hidden Impact: How What You Put on Your Skin Shapes Your Menopausal Journey

Let’s talk about something many women overlook when it comes to their health – the everyday products we use on our skin, and how they quietly influence our hormones, our mood, and ultimately, our menopausal experience.

You’ve probably heard the term endocrine disruptors thrown around, but let’s ground this in real life. Your skin is your largest organ, and it’s not just a passive barrier – it’s a gateway. What you put on it doesn’t just stay on the surface. It seeps in, travels through your bloodstream, and can affect your body’s natural balance in ways you might not realise.

The Chemical Cocktail We Didn’t Sign Up For

Many of us have spent years – even decades – slathering on moisturisers, applying deodorants, colouring our hair, and layering on perfumes, all without thinking twice. But here’s the hard truth: so many of these products contain ingredients that disrupt our endocrine system – the delicate network of glands that regulate our hormones.

During menopause and perimenopause, your hormones are already in a state of flux. Adding synthetic chemicals into the mix can heighten symptoms like anxiety, hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, and even make it harder to balance mood and energy.

Let’s break down a few key offenders:

• Parabens – Found in many moisturisers, shampoos, and cosmetics. They mimic estrogen in the body, potentially throwing off your hormonal balance.

• Phthalates – Common in fragrances and nail polishes, linked to reproductive issues and thyroid disruption.

• Aluminium – Found in most conventional deodorants, it’s a heavy metal that can affect estrogen receptors and contribute to breast tissue toxicity.

• Ammonia & PPD (p-Phenylenediamine) – In many hair dyes, both of which can irritate the skin, respiratory system, and potentially disrupt hormone function.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – A foaming agent in shampoos and cleansers, linked to skin irritation and endocrine disruption.

Now, imagine layering these on day after day, year after year, especially during a phase of life where your body needs more support, not more stress.

How This Affects Your Menopausal Experience

Your liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying these chemicals, but when it’s overwhelmed, it can’t efficiently process hormones either. This can lead to estrogen dominance or worsen the already rocky hormonal transitions of perimenopause and menopause.

Many women report intensified symptoms without ever connecting the dots – unexplained irritability, fatigue that just won’t shift, stubborn weight, or heightened sensitivity to stress. These are not just “menopausal symptoms” – they can be amplified by the toxins your body is struggling to manage.

The Pressure to Stay Young – And the Hidden Cost of Injectables

We also need to talk about something deeper – the pressure many women feel to resist aging altogether.

In a world that glorifies youth and equates a woman’s value with her appearance, it’s no surprise that so many turn to Botox, fillers, and other injectables to “fix” what society tells us is wrong with us. But let’s pause for a moment. What is this really doing to our bodies?

Botulinum toxin, the active ingredient in Botox, is a neurotoxin – its very purpose is to paralyse muscles. While it’s marketed as safe, injecting something that interferes with nerve signals into your body isn’t a neutral act. Fillers, too, can cause immune responses, inflammation, and interfere with your lymphatic flow, especially when used repeatedly.

And here’s where it ties into your menopausal journey: your body is already doing a delicate dance to find balance amidst hormonal shifts. Introducing synthetic substances, especially those designed to freeze or inflate, puts more strain on your system. The more your body has to work to detox or adjust, the more energy it pulls away from healing, restoring, and finding natural equilibrium.

This isn’t about judgment – it’s about awareness. It’s about recognising that while trying to hold onto youth, we might be sacrificing the very vitality we’re seeking.

Reclaiming Control – Clean Alternatives That Support, Not Sabotage

The good news? You have the power to choose differently. You can start to detox your skincare and beauty routine, step by step, and give your body a break.

Here are some simple swaps to start with:

• Deodorant: Switch to natural deodorants free from aluminium and synthetic fragrance. Brands like Salt of the Earth, Native, or Weleda offer effective alternatives.

• Hair Dye: Consider natural hair colour options like Herbatint, Naturtint, or even henna, which avoid harsh chemicals but still give beautiful results.

• Skincare: Look for brands that are paraben-free, phthalate-free, and use organic ingredients. Neal’s Yard Remedies, Green People, and Dr. Hauschka are great places to start.

• Fragrance: Choose essential oil blends or perfumes made without synthetic chemicals. Try Acorelle or Ffern for clean, natural scents.

• Shampoo & Body Wash: Opt for SLS-free options. Faith in Nature, Rahua, and Tabitha James Kraan provide nourishing, hormone-friendly formulas.

• Aging Support: Instead of injectables, explore facial massage, gua sha, red light therapy, and high-quality collagen supplements to support skin naturally.

It’s Not About Perfection – It’s About Awareness

This isn’t about fear, or throwing everything in your bathroom out at once. It’s about becoming more conscious. Small, intentional changes can have a huge impact on how you feel. By reducing your exposure to these hormone-disrupting chemicals, you support your body’s natural ability to find balance during menopause.

Think of it as an act of self-care, of tuning in and truly listening to what your body needs. You’ve done so much already – now it’s time to nurture yourself in ways that go beneath the surface.

When we align what we put on and in our bodies with what we truly want for our health, we reclaim power. We soften the edges of the menopausal journey, and we honour this phase of transformation with the respect it deserves.

You are not just meant to survive menopause – you’re meant to rise through it, fully alive, fully aware, and deeply connected to your own natural beauty.