Plant Based Cosmetics: are they good for you?

Each day that we are alive, chances are that you have used cosmetics in some form. Soap, shampoo, face cream, moisturizer, makeup. Our goal is to look and feel better.

But are the ingredients causing you more harm than doing good?

One ingredient in cosmetics is plant estrogen.

You will find it in skin creams, serums, shampoos, and even lip care formulations. Companies present it as a natural solution that helps restore youthful skin and improve overall appearance.

But as with many wellness trends, it is important to understand how these compounds work inside the body and why they may not be suitable for everyone.

In particular, children should not be exposed to products that contain plant estrogen.

Plant estrogen refers to a group of naturally occurring compounds found in foods such as soy, flaxseed, and certain herbs.

Scientists call them phytoestrogens.

The body can mistake these compounds for the estrogen hormone that it produces internally. This happens because phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptors found in cells.

Weaker than the estrogen that your body makes, they still influence biological processes when used over long periods.

Think daily soap and shampoo, for example.

The argument used to sell these ingredients is that they support collagen production and improves skin elasticity. Studies do show mild benefits for adult skin.

But it is one thing for an adult to use it. Another for a child whose hormones are still developing. Children experience rapid and complex hormonal shifts as they grow.

Small disruptions can affect them. Research suggests that early exposure to estrogen-like compounds can influence the timing of puberty, metabolic pathways, and reproductive development.

The skin absorbs more than we imagine.

Anything that goes on the skin can enter the bloodstream. This is why pediatricians recommend extreme caution with topical products.

We often assume that plant-based ingredients are safer than synthetic ones. Natural does not always mean safe for every age group.

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