Cosmetics and Skin Health: Endocrine Disruptors and Health

Dr. Vanessa Casteli, dermatologist and co-founder of SineVie BeautyCare

What drew me into the world of clean beauty cosmetics was the knowledge that some ingredients, allowed in small quantities in cosmetics, when added up by the number of products we use in a single day, and accumulated over years, can lead to diseases.

So, as a dermatologist, could I be prescribing triggers that cause diseases?

I was pregnant with Mariana at the time, and this deeply affected me, motivating me to transform the compounded formulas I most frequently prescribed in my practice into standardized clean beauty products, in a clean beauty factory, over two years ago. Today, my purpose is to educate patients, friends, dermatologists, and SineVie clients about avoiding cosmetics that contain ingredients toxic to health.

What diseases are these?
Studies have shown the importance of avoiding these ingredients in cosmetics due to their ability to disrupt hormones, triggering precocious puberty in children who use these types of cosmetics from an early age, including shampoos, moisturizers, perfumes, and makeup, as well as early menopause and infertility. This is why they are called endocrine disruptors.

Another common cause, noted in dermatological consultations, is contact dermatitis, which presents as reddened, itchy skin that develops local scaling. It can also trigger atopic dermatitis in individuals with a genetic predisposition. In these cases, as dermatologists, we recommend hydration during the first week of life, but not just any moisturizer—only those FREE of petrolatum, phthalates, and parabens. Zero perfume until 2 years of age.

Understand that this care starts from birth with diaper rash creams, shampoos, and lotions. In childhood, with perfumes, colored lip balm, and makeup. In adolescence, with skincare and deodorant, and in adulthood, with full access to the beauty universe. Have you noticed how many products we apply to our skin—from scalp to face, body, and nails—in one day?

Gen Z and Alpha are already aware of this movement due to social media influence and access to information from all over the world. We know that regulations in Europe are stricter regarding these substances, and in the USA, clean cosmetics are widely consumed and accessible.