Personal Care Products & Cancer Risk: What You Need to Know About Parabens & Phthalates

Could the personal care products in your bathroom be quietly increasing your cancer risk? Research from 2023 published in Chemosphere shows how parabens and phthalates in personal care products may trigger cancer-linked changes in healthy breast tissue… but also reveals something hopeful about what happens when you make the switch to cleaner options.

Picture your morning routine for a minute.

You wash your face, smooth on some moisturizer, maybe add a little serum or toner. Perhaps you swipe on some makeup. You run product through your hair, reach for your deodorant. And at some point (most likely morning or evening), you’re lathering shampoo, smoothing on conditioner, and using some kind of body wash.

All of this is so routine that you probably barely think about any of it.

But here’s something I came across this past year that really stopped me in my tracks:

A 2023 study published in Chemosphere looked at what’s actually happening in our bodies when we use personal care products with certain toxic ingredients every single day. The researchers of this study specifically looked at two different toxicants (parabens and phthalates) that are in so many of the products sitting on our bathroom shelves right now. And they asked some really important questions!:

• Are these chemicals just sitting on our skin? Or are they doing something deeper in our bodies?
• If they are affecting us, what happens when we stop using them?

What they found is both eye-opening and, most importantly, hopeful. The study results showed us that switching to cleaner personal care products may help reverse cancer-associated changes in healthy breast tissue.

Let’s walk through what this study actually found and what it might mean for you as you consider what personal care products you choose for yourself and your loved ones.

The Chemicals in Question: Parabens & Phthalates

Before we look closer at the study itself, let’s first talk about parabens and phthalates for a minute.

In a nutshell, parabens are preservatives, which means they’re used to prevent bacterial and mold growth in products. So they’re what keep your lotion from growing mold and what keep your shampoo shelf-stable for many months.

Phthalates are plasticizers that give products that smooth, easy-to-spread texture. They also help fragrances stick around longer. Basically, they’re used in products to make them work better and last longer (Aldegunde-Louzao et al., 2024b).

Where will you commonly find parabens and phthalates on your bathroom shelf?

You’ll typically find them in personal care products such as:

• Body lotions, body butters, hand creams, and face moisturizers
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Makeup (foundation, mascara, lipstick)
• Deodorant
• Body wash and hand soap
• Hair styling products

And because of greenwashing, even some products labeled “natural” or “gentle” can surprisingly still contain parabens and phthalates.

The thing is, these chemicals don’t just stay on the surface of your skin. They can actually be absorbed into your body, which is why a huge majority of Americans have measurable levels of these chemicals in their blood (Hopf et al., 2024; Calafat et al., 2010; Janjua et al., 2008).

Now, here’s what I find most concerning. These chemicals are what scientists call “xenoestrogens”. This is just a fancy way of saying they can mimic estrogen in your body. And since breast tissue is incredibly sensitive to estrogen and hormone-like signals, researchers have been curious about what that might mean for cellular health.

In fact, plenty of research outside this single study I’ll be discussing in this article has consistently linked phthalates and parabens to hormone disruption (Wang et al., 2024; Tang & Du, 2024; Land et al., 2024; Hlisníková et al., 2020; Grindler et al., 2018).

Until this 2023 study, we already knew these chemicals were in our bodies. We just didn’t have a clear picture of what they were actually doing once they got there—and whether those effects could be reversed. This is why this study is so pivotal!

What the REDUXE Study Actually Did

This study—called REDUXE (which stands for Reduction of Daily-Use Xenoestrogen Exposure)—was led by Dr. Shanaz Dairkee and her research team. What makes it different from a lot of other research is that they didn’t just look at cells in a lab setting. They studied real tissue from real women going about their real lives.

Here’s how it worked:

Step 1: The researchers collected small tissue samples from healthy women using something called fine needle aspiration (it’s minimally invasive—kind of like a needle biopsy).

Step 2: The women switched out their regular personal care products for paraben-free and phthalate-free versions. They used these cleaner products for a set period of time, all while going about their normal routines.

Step 3: After the intervention, the researchers took another tissue sample from the same women and compared it to their original sample.

This before-and-after approach is powerful because each woman served as her own control. The researchers could see exactly what changed in that person’s tissue when she reduced her exposure to these chemicals.

They also tested the women’s urine before and after to confirm that the intervention actually worked, and that switching products really did reduce the levels of these chemicals in their bodies.

What Did They Reveal in the REDUXE Study in Relation to Breast Cancer?

Okay, here’s where it gets really interesting.

When the women were using their regular products (the ones with parabens and phthalates), their healthy breast tissue showed patterns you’d typically associate with cancer development. But after they switched to cleaner products, those patterns started shifting back toward normal.

Let me break down what that actually means.

1. The Chemicals Really Did Leave Their Bodies

First things first. The product switch actually worked!

When they tested the women’s urine, the levels of parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben) and a phthalate metabolite called MEP dropped significantly.

Simultaneously, phthalates that come from food (like DEHP) stayed the same. So this proved the changes were coming specifically from swapping out their personal care products, not from changing their diet or anything else.

2. Their Genes Started Acting Differently

The researchers looked at 64 genes that changed after the women switched products. And here’s what stood out:

• 80% of the cancer-promoting genes (oncogenes) became less active
• 60% of the cancer-protecting genes (tumor suppressor genes) became more active

Think about that for a second.

Just by switching their lotion, shampoo, and deodorant, these women’s cells started shifting away from cancer-associated patterns and toward healthier ones.

And these weren’t even massive lifestyle changes! They weren’t overhauling their entire lives. All they did was simply use different products!

3. Important Biological Pathways Changed

The study found changes in some pretty critical areas:

The PI3K-AKT pathway: This is a pathway that’s often overactive in breast cancer. It helps cancer cells survive and grow. After the product switch, this pathway started to calm down.

Estrogen receptor balance: Our bodies have two types of estrogen receptors—ERα (which can promote cancer when overactive) and ERβ (which helps protect against it). Parabens and phthalates mess with that balance. But when the women reduced their exposure, that balance started to normalize.

Cell growth and death signals: Healthy cells are supposed to know when to stop growing and when to self-destruct if something’s wrong. Before the intervention, the women’s cells showed signs of growing too fast and avoiding normal cell death. But afterwards? Those patterns reversed!

4. Their Cells Responded to Hormones More Normally

Here’s maybe the most fascinating part! After reducing their exposure to these chemicals, the women’s breast cells started responding to their body’s natural estrogen in a more normal, healthy way.

Before the intervention, their cells were reacting to estrogen in an exaggerated way—the kind of response that can contribute to cancer. After the intervention, that response normalized.

Why This Research Matters So Much

Okay. I know it seems that we’re constantly bombarded with health information all the time.

“This causes cancer.” “That causes cancer.”

Honestly, it’s exhausting.

But this study is different because it actually shows us something we don’t usually get to see: what’s happening in real time, in real bodies, when we make these real life product changes.

Here’s what we now know as a result of the REDUXE study:

1. These conventional, everyday products are literally affecting us at the cellular level.

Not in some distant, theoretical way. But in an actual, measurable way that shows up in our body’s tissues.

2. These changes are happening before anything is “wrong.”

This isn’t about people who already have disease. This is about healthy women whose cells were showing early warning signs (patterns associated with cancer development) just from their normal daily routine.

Also worth noting: these chemicals are circulating throughout your entire body, not just affecting breast tissue. So if they’re creating these kinds of changes in breast cells, it raises questions about what they might be doing elsewhere too.

3. The changes can reverse (IMPORTANT).

This is the really hopeful part I want to drive home.

When the women switched products, their cells started shifting back to normal. This is an amazing example of how our bodies have this incredible ability to respond when we reduce harmful exposures.

4. We have more control than we might have thought (SUPER IMPORTANT).

We can’t control everything about our health. But we can control what we put on our bodies every single day. And apparently, that choice matters more than we realized!

Okay, So What Can You Actually Do With This Information?

As grim as it is that we have so many products with these harmful chemicals in them, here’s the silver lining:

You don’t need to wait for the government to ban these chemicals or for every company to reformulate their products. You can start taking action and making different choices today.

And no, you don’t have to throw out your entire bathroom cabinet tonight. (Please don’t. That would be overwhelming and expensive!)

Instead, let me walk you through a simple, low-stress way to go about this!

Where to Start: A Low-Stress Step-by-Step Guide

1. Focus on what touches your skin the most

Start with products that go on your skin and stay there.

These include personal care products like:

• Your daily moisturizer
• Body lotion
• Deodorant
• Leave-in hair products

These are the ones giving you the most exposure.

Products you rinse off right away (like shampoo, conditioner, body wash) are lower priority. While they’re still definitely worth switching eventually, they’re not where I’d start if you’re trying to prioritize.

2. Learn what to look for on labels

Look for products that specifically say “paraben-free” and “phthalate-free.”

You’ll also want to scan the ingredient list for signs of parabens and phthalates (I’ll have an article specifically about this soon, but in the meantime, you can find some label-reading tips about these two chemicals in my article about non-toxic hand creams).

But also, remember how I mentioned earlier that phthalates help fragrances last longer? Well, because of this, you’ll want to avoid the ingredient “fragrance” or “parfum” on ingredients lists since phthalates and fragrance oftentimes (not always, but often enough) go hand-in-hand.

Pure Tip: Phthalates love to hide behind the word “fragrance” or “parfum” on ingredient lists. So if you see “fragrance” listed without any other details, there’s a good chance phthalates are in there. Products labeled “fragrance-free” or that use botanical extracts and essential oils are safer bets (Note: Some people have sensitivities to certain essential oils and botanical extracts, so keep that in mind as well!).

3. Simplify your routine while you’re at it

This is actually a great time to ask yourself some important questions:

Do I really need seven different products in my shower? Could I get by with fewer, cleaner options?

Sometimes having less stuff means less exposure and less mental clutter. And also more money in your wallet potentially! That’s a win-win if you ask me!

4. Don’t forget to give yourself grace

You’re not going to do this perfectly. Maybe you’ll switch out your lotion but keep using your favorite face wash for now. That’s fine. You know me… progress over perfection, always!

Even reducing your exposure through some clean product swaps is better than changing nothing at all.

5. Support better regulations

On a bigger-picture level, the fact that these chemicals are in so many products (often without adequate safety testing) points to gaps in how we regulate ingredients. If this matters to you, consider supporting organizations that push for better chemical safety standards, such as Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP).

The Bigger Picture of Toxins in Our Personal Care Products

I think it’s worth pausing for a second to think about how we even got here in the first place.

These chemicals have been used in literally thousands of products for decades, often before anyone really understood what they might be doing to our bodies. And because of the way our regulatory system works, companies can use ingredients without proving they’re safe first. The burden has largely been on researchers and consumers to prove something is harmful after it’s already in widespread use.

That’s… truly backwards, if you ask me!

The REDUXE study is a reminder that we can’t always wait for 100% certainty before making thoughtful, intentional changes in our own lives. When healthy cells show concerning patterns that reverse when exposure stops, that’s information worth paying attention to, even as scientific investigations are in their early stages of development.

The Encouraging Part

At the end of the day, here’s what I keep coming back to:

Our bodies are pretty remarkable.

The women in this study saw meaningful changes in just weeks to months. Their cells started shifting back toward healthier patterns when they reduced their exposure to these chemicals. This is so powerful because it shows that we have the ability to make choices that lower our health risks in ways we didn’t fully understand or realize before!

Does this mean we can control everything about our health through product choices? Unfortunately, no. Health is complex, and there are a lot of factors we can’t control.

But it does show that the everyday choices we make (even ones that feel small) can have real effects at the cellular level.

The researchers concluded that taking a REDUXE-guided approach to personal care products is a “biologically plausible prevention strategy.” In normal-person language: this matters. Ultimately, the products you choose can influence your cellular health in real and measurable ways.

Informed Decisions Through Product Choice: A Different Way to Think About Self-Care

We hear a lot about self-care these days—face masks, bubble baths, that kind of thing. And sure, those moments matter and have their place.

But maybe one of the most meaningful forms of self-care is just being thoughtful about what we’re putting on our bodies every single day. The lotion you smooth on in the morning. The deodorant you swipe on. The products that become so routine you don’t even think about them.

This research gives us information. And with information comes the ability to make informed choices that align with what matters to us.

And remember: you don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. You don’t need to achieve some impossible standard of perfection. But knowing what’s happening in science and how it relates to your daily life (and knowing you do have options) is genuinely empowering!

Small, thoughtful changes can add up to something meaningful. Even if it’s just one product swap at a time!

Interested in learning more about low-toxic living?

I share more research-backed insights, product recommendations, and practical guides on the Present & Pure blog. From safer skincare swaps to understanding ingredient labels, there’s a lot more to explore as you continue this journey toward healthier choices!

Study Details

• Title: “Reduction of daily-use parabens and phthalates reverses accumulation of cancer-associated phenotypes within disease-free breast tissue of study subjects“
• Published: Chemosphere, 2023
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138014
• Lead researchers: Shanaz H. Dairkee, Dan H. Moore, M. Gloria Luciani, Nicole Anderle, Roy Gerona, Karina Ky, Samantha M. Torres, Polly V. Marshall, William H. Goodson III
• Funding: California Breast Cancer Research Program and CPMC Foundation

A note on context: This research offers valuable insights into how personal care product ingredients may affect our cellular health. Breast cancer is complex, with many contributing factors—genetics, lifestyle, environment, and more. Reducing exposure to certain chemicals is one piece of a larger picture. As always, talk with your healthcare provider about your personal health concerns and screening recommendations.

References & Scientific Sources

Aldegunde-Louzao, N., Lolo-Aira, M., & Herrero-Latorre, C. (2024b). Phthalate esters in different types of cosmetic products: A Five-Year Quality Control Survey. Molecules, 29(20), 4823. Link

Calafat, A. M., Ye, X., Wong, L., Bishop, A. M., & Needham, L. L. (2010). Urinary concentrations of four parabens in the U.S. population: NHANES 2005–2006. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(5), 679–685. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0901560

Dairkee, S. H., Moore, D. H., Luciani, M. G., Anderle, N., Gerona, R., Ky, K., Torres, S. M., Marshall, P. V., & Goodson, W. H., III. (2023). Reduction of daily-use parabens and phthalates reverses accumulation of cancer-associated phenotypes within disease-free breast tissue of study subjects. Chemosphere, 322, 138014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138014

Grindler, N. M., Vanderlinden, L., Karthikraj, R., Kannan, K., Teal, S., Polotsky, A. J., Powell, T. L., Yang, I. V., & Jansson, T. (2018). Exposure to phthalate, an endocrine disrupting chemical, alters the first trimester placental methylome and transcriptome in women. Scientific Reports, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-24505-w

Hlisníková, H., Petrovičová, I., Kolena, B., Šidlovská, M., & Sirotkin, A. (2020). Effects and Mechanisms of phthalates’ Action on Reproductive processes and Reproductive Health: a literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6811. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186811

Hopf, N. B., De Luca, H. P., Borgatta, M., Koch, H. M., Pälmke, C., Benedetti, M., Berthet, A., & Reale, E. (2024). Human skin absorption of three phthalates. Toxicology Letters, 398, 38–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.05.016

Janjua, N. R., Frederiksen, H., Skakkebæk, N. E., Wulf, H. C., & Andersson, A. (2008). Urinary excretion of phthalates and paraben after repeated whole‐body topical application in humans. Andrology, 31(2), 118–130. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2605.2007.00841.x

Land, K. L., Ghuneim, S. M., Williams, B. A., & Hannon, P. R. (2024). Phthalates Disrupt Female Reproductive Health: A Call for Enhanced Investigation into Mixtures. Reproduction. https://doi.org/10.1530/rep-24-0117

Tang, Z., & Du, Q. (2024). Mechanism of action of preservatives in cosmetics. Deleted Journal, 100054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdsct.2024.100054

Wang, J., Zhao, C., Feng, J., Sun, P., Zhang, Y., Han, A., Zhang, Y., & Ma, H. (2024). Advances in understanding the reproductive toxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in women. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 12, 1390247.