Social Media Beauty Trends May Up Teens' Exposure To Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

Key TakeawaysSocial media may increase teens' exposure to chemicalsTeens who follow beauty influencers use 30% more personal care productsSome personal care products contain potentially harmful chemicals such as phthalates, parabens and phenols.TUESDAY, Aug. 18, 2026 (HealthDay News) — That beauty tutorial on social media might influence more than what your teen buys.It may also increase their exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals, a new study warns."We often hear that social media may hurt kids' mental health and socio-emotional development," said lead author Emily Barrett of Rutgers School of Public Health in Piscataway, New Jersey. "This study suggests another cause for concern: social media's potential to increase the use of personal care products that often include hormone-disrupting and potentially carcinogenic chemicals."Researchers surveyed 143 high school students about their use of personal care products — from shampoo and deodorant to skin care, fragrance and makeup.Students who followed social media influencers with product lines reported using 30% more products in the previous 24 hours. Those who watched hair or beauty tutorials used 40% more.Researchers say this matters because some personal care products contain chemicals such as phthalates, parabens and phenols, which have been linked to hormone disruption and cancer risk.Girls reported using a median of 14 products a day — twice as many as boys. Median means half used more, half used fewer.Overall, students used about as many personal care products as adults in previous studies.But adolescence may be a particularly sensitive time for chemical exposure."They are undergoing rapid changes, including in their hormone systems," Barrett said.While some students surveyed were concerned, just 19% said they regularly read ingredient lists.Researchers say future studies could also use urine tests to measure teens' actual chemical exposure.The study was recently published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.More informationThe Environmental Working Group has more on toxic chemicals in cosmetics.SOURCE: HealthDay TV, Aug. 18, 2026 .What This Means For YouSocial media beauty content may encourage teens to use more personal-care products, potentially increasing their exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals during a sensitive stage of development..Sign up for our weekly HealthDay newsletter

Social Media Beauty Trends May Up Teens' Exposure To Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

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