Hormone Imbalances. Cosmetics. Anxiety. What's the relationship here?

As Black women living in the United States there is a lot that we deal with on a daily basis. 

It’s timely to be writing that sentence, as yesterday was the day Black women finally earn what a white man (on average) earns on the first of the year. 225 days later. 

But the wage gap is a conversation that can stand on its own. 

It can so often feel as if we, as Black women, are living while waiting for the ball to drop on various areas of our lives. Between socioeconomic stressors and race related discrimination, Black women suffer from having their fight-or-flight response activated for the long term. 

This over-activated response can cause a list of issues with our health and, as a result, the anxiety levels in Black women has become a chronic issue.

Anxiety affects Black women at a higher rate than any other group.

Our (forced) resilience puts in a position to find ways to cope and so many of us find solace in routines - that often include skincare and makeup. 

So it’s important for me to raise this topic...

What if the products we are using to “self care” and de-stress are only exacerbating our anxiety problems? 

I’ve said before that it has been documented that Black women have higher levels of chemicals from cosmetics in our systems. Those higher levels are largely pointing at parabens & phthalates. 

Both of these chemicals are known endocrine disruptors. Our endocrine system is the same thing as our hormonal system. Our endocrine system includes our thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, pancreas, hypothalamus and pituitary glands. 

Here’s the thing. Cortisol is a hormone that is made in the adrenal glands. It is made during periods of stress (or perceived stress). 

When it is released too frequently it causes inflammation. This response and inflammation can in turn create other health issues such as:

• Eczema

• Acne

• Psoriasis

• Weakened skin barrier

Further, parabens can mimic estrogen in the body. Estrogen is there to help calm our fear response. That leaves those of us with low estrogen levels more vulnerable to trauma - and the residual stress it leaves behind. 

TEDEX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange) has found that there are 200 possible endocrine chemicals that exist in our personal care products today. 

To tie this all together, anxiety is linked to chemical imbalances in our body. This includes hormone imbalances. 

Now, I’m no doctor (and certainly not the expert), but I have to raise an eyebrow at the possible link here. 

Do the products we use cause anxiety? No. 

But they make it worse? I would say there iis evidence to suggest this is a relationship that deserves to be properly vetted. 

At the end of the day, be your own advocate. 

Watch what you eat.

Detox your cosmetics & skincare cabinets. 

Rest properly.

Move your body with intention.

Create boundaries for your mental health. 

Choose you. Choose safer.