This summer I went to a seminar put on by a saliva testing lab, Diagnos-Techs. (http://diagnostechs.com/) I learned a lot about saliva testing at this seminar but Director of Medical Support John White, MD, CM mentioned something that concerned me: 90-95% of submitted face creams tested positive for progesterone. This testing was done a couple years ago back when they offered anonymous testing of face creams for clients and they don't do it now. He also mentioned that there were estrogens and androgens in many of these face creams.
Diagnos-Techs has noted elevated progesterone levels in women that were not taking prescribed hormones.
Face creams and shampoos are classified legally as cosmetics and are not under FDA supervision. Manufacturers can add progesterone to their products (up to 4%) without reporting it on their labels.
Well, I just did my saliva hormone panel and my progesterone was low. Hopefully that means that the shampoo and SPF face cream I use do not contain hormones.
But wait, there's more. Besides actual hormones, there may be other chemicals in your cosmetics that interfere with the body's endocrine system. Phenols, phthalates, and phytoestrogens have been associated with earlier onset of puberty in females with possible increased risk of diabetes and breast cancer later on in life.
Phthalates can be on an ingredient list as "fragrance" so you might not even know if it is in any of your products. This labeling stuff is so frustrating!
So what can you do about hormones in face creams and cosmetics? You could have an outside lab test your product. (http://www.adamsonlab.com/cosmetics.htm). You can do an internet search. I came up with this list from ehow.com: http://www.ehow.com/list_7161229_face-creams-hormones.html. Remember that just because the label says "natural" does not make it so. Also, some natural ingredients such as soy, tea tree oil and lavender can disrupt hormones in women and men.
If you are a teen, have breast, ovary or uterine cancer or have recovered from such I think you should really take a look at what you are putting on your body. The rest of us should too, but at some point you just can't find the information and the stress on you may be worse than the chemicals or hormones.
http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=290
http://chronicfatigueandnutrition.com/hormones/hormones-cosmetics/
http://www.bellasugar.com/Phthalates-Cosmetics-Linked-Earlier-Puberty-Mount-Sinai-Study-8019908
http://truthinaging.com/body/what-is-it-estrogen-in-my-face-cream
