Is Your Haircare Affecting Your Hormones? Ingredients to Avoid for Healthy Curly Hair

We need to talk about what’s actually in our haircare products…

Because why am I seeing that being a Black woman puts you at a higher risk of exposure to harmful chemicals—through your haircare, your body care… even your braiding hair?

That didn’t sit right with me.

And it made me start looking a lot closer at my products—not just from a “does this work for my curls” perspective, but from a what is this actually doing to me? perspective.

 

It’s Not Just About “Is This Good for Our Hair?”

When it comes to curly hair, we already check ingredients—but usually for performance.

We ask:

• Will this define my curls?
• Will it dry my hair out?
• Does it have silicones?

But lately, more people are asking:
“Are there harmful ingredients in hair products?”
“What ingredients should I avoid for healthy hair?”

And honestly… that’s the real question.

Because your hair products don’t just sit on your hair.

They sit on your scalp.
They touch your skin.
And your skin can absorb a lot of what you put on it.

And This Isn’t Just a Theory…

There have actually been multiple studies over the past few years (roughly 2018–2026) looking into this.

And what they found is honestly concerning.

Research has shown that many hair and personal care products marketed to Black women can contain higher levels of endocrine-disrupting and potentially carcinogenic chemicals—including products like relaxers, oils, and even synthetic braiding hair (see sources at the end).

Some of these chemicals have been linked to:

• hormone disruption
• hair loss
• reproductive health issues
• and even increased risks of conditions like uterine and breast cancer

That’s heavy… but it’s also important to know.

Because again—this isn’t just about one product.
It’s about long-term, repeated exposure.

So… Are There Microplastics in Hair Products?

Yes—there can be.

A lot of products contain plastic-based ingredients. Not obvious ones, but things like polymers, silicones, and certain stabilisers.

Over time, these can break down into microplastics.

And microplastics have been linked to hormone disruption—meaning they can interfere with your body’s natural balance.

Now think about how often you’re applying your products:

• leave-ins
• gels
• moisturisers
• daily creams

That’s consistent exposure.

Ingredients to Watch Out For (Without Overcomplicating It)

I’m not about to have you memorising long ingredient lists—but there are a few patterns that help:

• Anything starting with “poly” → usually a polymer (often found in gels for hold)
• Anything ending in “cone” → silicones (like dimethicone)
• PEG compounds → used to blend ingredients together

These are some of the most common ingredients people are trying to avoid when searching for non-toxic or natural haircare.

 

The One That’s Hardest to Spot: Fragrance

If you’ve ever wondered:
“Is fragrance in hair products safe?”

Here’s the issue…

“Fragrance” on a label can hide multiple ingredients that brands don’t have to disclose.

And one of the most common hidden ones? Phthalates—which are also linked to hormone disruption.

So when you see fragrance high up on an ingredient list…
just know you’re not getting the full picture.

 

Why This Matters Even More for Us

This part is important.

A lot of us have been using:

• hair creams
• oils
• body butters
• styling products

…from a really young age.

And not just occasionally—consistently.

So when people ask:
“Are natural hair products better for you?”

It’s not about trends.
It’s about reducing long-term exposure where we can.

You Don’t Actually Need All of This

This is the part that shifted everything for me.

There’s this idea that synthetic = better performance.

But that’s not true.

You can still:

• retain moisture
• define your curls
• get hold and shine

…using natural or naturally-derived ingredients.

I’ve literally styled my own hair using things like plant butters and flaxseed gel—and it works.

So the question becomes…
if it works, why am I putting plastics on my hair?

Final Thoughts

This isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness.

But for me, it didn’t stop at awareness.

Learning this is exactly what pushed me to start creating my own products—because I couldn’t unsee it, and I didn’t feel comfortable continuing to use things I didn’t fully trust.

I wanted products that:

• actually work on curly hair
• are made with ingredients you can understand
• and feel safe enough to use not just on myself—but on my family too

That’s what I’ve created.

If you’re at the stage where you’re starting to question your products, I’ve made it really simple for you to take that next step.

I put together a free ingredient guide that breaks down the common plastic-based and questionable ingredients to look out for—so you can walk into any store and actually know what you’re looking at.

And if you’d rather skip the guesswork completely, you can explore my products—formulated with natural ingredients, no hidden plastics, and no vague “fragrance” blends.

Click here to view my collection of plant based hair & body care. 

I’ll also be sharing more on my YouTube, including how to make your own natural alternatives at home—so whether you want to buy or DIY, you’ve got options.

Because at the end of the day, this is about more than just good hair…

It’s about feeling confident in what you’re putting on your body, every single day.

Click Here to Download Your Free Ingredients Guide.

Sources & Further Reading

• National Institutes of Health – Study on chemical exposure from hair products and increased uterine cancer risk (2022)
• Environmental Working Group – Research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals in beauty products marketed to Black women
• Black Women’s Health Study – Ongoing research linking hair product use (including relaxers) to hormone-related health outcomes
• Silent Spring Institute – Studies on chemical exposures in personal care products used by women of color
• California Environmental Protection Agency – Reports on phthalates and endocrine disruption in consumer products