For many women, this is a familiar scenario—you start your day with freshly applied lipstick, which disappears after a few hours. More often than not, you would have eaten some bits of it. Well, now social media posts claim that this is not just a fashion faux pas; it could also be harming your health.  

In a viral Instagram post, Dr Manan Vora, an orthopedic surgeon with 539K followers, warned about the hidden dangers in lipsticks. The video claims that certain chemicals in lipsticks can disrupt hormones and affect women’s health. 

“Your lipstick might be doing more than adding color — it could be quietly messing with your hormones,” reads the caption of the video, which has close to 2 lakh views.  

According to Dr. Vora, some lipsticks—especially those that are cheap or unregulated—may contain harmful substances, such as BPA (from plastic packaging) and preservatives like methylparaben or propylparaben.  

“These chemicals can mimic estrogen (sic.), disrupt your hormonal balance, and even cause issues like delayed periods, acne, and excess facial hair over time,” according to the caption. 

He advises consumers to check labels carefully before purchasing and opt for products marked BPA-free or Paraben-free. Trusted certifications to look for in India include Ecocert, Cosmos Organic/Natural, USDA Organic, and PETA India Cruelty-Free.

The reel has gone viral, amassing over 5,000 likes,14,500 shares and close to 2 lakh views.

So, are lipsticks harmful?

According to a study published in Heliyon, researchers tested 12 lipsticks sold in Ghana and found dangerously high levels of heavy metals such as chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, cadmium, and lead. Several samples exceeded international safety limits, with copper levels reaching 14,053.33 mg/kg and lead concentrations surpassing the U.S. FDA’s 10 mg/kg limit. The study warned that such contamination poses risks of neurotoxicity, kidney damage, and systemic toxicity in regular users. 

A separate 2024 study examined parabens (such as methylparaben and propylparaben) commonly used in lipsticks as preservatives. The researchers concluded that parabens can act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking estrogen, but emphasised that the amounts typically found in regulated cosmetic products are well within international safety standards. 

A Canadian study on 382 girls and teens found that higher urinary paraben levels were linked to significantly lower concentrations of key reproductive hormones (estradiol, LH, and FSH), suggesting that paraben exposure may disrupt endocrine balance and potentially affect sexual development. 

Research also suggests that excessive exposure to parabens may be linked to breast cancer and fertility issues.  Also, this 2016 study indicated that paraben exposure at non-excessive levels is associated with menstrual cycle length or its variability among general female subjects. These results suggest the possibility that paraben exposure is one of the environmental causes of human reproductive problems.

Dr Anjana Bhan, Endocrinologist at Max Hospital, Saket, highlighted the widespread presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in everyday products: “Many personal care products—shampoos, face washes, creams, lipsticks—contain parabens, phthalates, and other chemicals like BPA, often used as preservatives or in plastic packaging. While a single use may not affect the body, chronic daily exposure can disrupt gene expression, steroid synthesis, and hormone balance.” 

She further explained that some chemicals mimic estrogen, block male hormones, or interfere with steroid pathways, potentially contributing to obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and reproductive problems such as PCOS. 

Dr Bhan emphasised the environmental reach of these chemicals: “Animal studies have shown these substances accumulate under the skin, in urine, faeces, and even cardiac blood vessels. EDCs are present in plastics, baby bottles, soda can linings, and even in water systems. A study in Indonesia found poultry exposed to contaminated water had eggs containing these chemicals. This demonstrates how pervasive they are.” 

“Even products labeled ‘BPA-free’ may contain BPS or BPF, which are equally harmful. Organic and naturally made products are safer alternatives,” she warned.  

Dr Bhan noted that India does not have strict bans or monitoring for such products, unlike in the West, where the Environmental Protection Agency regulates untested cosmetics. She warned that this “dark side of beauty” can have significant health impacts. 

Regarding the viral claim that lipsticks can cause delayed periods, acne, and facial hair, Dr Bhan confirmed that it is true, explaining that studies show EDCs can affect reproductive function and may also contribute to cancer, respiratory issues, neurological diseases, and a range of reproductive problems, including infertility and PCOS. 

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