Title: Covert threats to human reproduction: Reproductive toxicity of banned and unregulated compounds in cosmetic products
Abstract:
The unregulated and often illicit use of hazardous substances in cosmetic and personal care products represents a growing but underrecognized threat to human reproductive health. Numerous studies have identified a range of compounds including phthalates, parabens, triclosan, formaldehyde donors, and heavy metals—commonly found in unauthorized or counterfeit cosmetic formulations. These substances are frequently classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) due to their capacity to mimic, block, or alter hormonal signaling pathways essential for reproductive function. Emerging toxicological and epidemiological data suggest strong associations between chronic dermal or systemic exposure to such agents and disruptions in spermatogenesis, oogenesis, menstrual cyclicity, implantation, and overall fertility potential in both sexes. Alarmingly, these effects may be transgenerational, mediated through epigenetic modifications and oxidative stress pathways. This review critically examines the biochemical mechanisms of reproductive toxicity linked to unauthorized cosmetic ingredients, the current regulatory insufficiencies enabling their circulation, and the implications for public health policy. It calls for immediate, evidence-based interventions—including stringent surveillance, harmonized international regulation, and consumer education—to prevent long-term reproductive harm from cosmetic exposures.
Keywords: Reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruptors, unauthorized cosmetics, fertility impairment, phthalates, parabens, transgenerational effects
