What's in Our Hair Products? New Research Raises Questions About Black Women's Reproductive Health
Published: July 29th, 2026
By: Just Listen to Us (JL2US)
For generations, many Black women have relied on the same hair oils, relaxers, edge controls, and styling products passed down from mothers, grandmothers, salons, and trusted brands. For many, these products became a routine part of self-care with little reason to question what is inside them.
Now, a growing body of scientific research is prompting researchers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to take a closer look.
Recent studies examining personal care products marketed to Black women have identified chemicals known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in many commonly used products. These findings have raised important questions about whether long-term exposure to certain ingredients may contribute to health conditions that disproportionately affect Black women, including uterine fibroids, infertility, breast cancer, and other reproductive health concerns.
One study found that approximately 80% of 18 Black hair products tested contained chemicals capable of disrupting the endocrine system—the body's network of glands and hormones responsible for regulating growth, metabolism, reproduction, and other essential biological functions. Researchers identified 45 endocrine-disrupting chemicals across the products analyzed, including several substances regulated under California's Proposition 65 or prohibited under European Union cosmetic regulations. Perhaps most concerning, many of these chemicals were not listed on product labels, making it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Understanding Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are substances that can interfere with the body's normal hormone function. Scientists continue to study their long-term health effects, but growing evidence suggests that prolonged exposure may be associated with hormone-related diseases and reproductive health challenges.
Researchers cited in the study found associations between certain hair products—particularly hair oils and chemical relaxers—and:
- Earlier onset of puberty
- Higher rates of uterine fibroids
- Increased breast cancer risk
- Reduced fertility and less successful IVF outcomes
- Higher risk of preterm birth
While these studies identify important associations, they do not establish that hair products alone cause these conditions. Reproductive health is influenced by many factors, including genetics, lifestyle, environmental exposures, access to healthcare, and socioeconomic conditions. Nevertheless, researchers say the findings warrant continued investigation because Black women are disproportionately affected by many of these health conditions.
A Growing Public Health Conversation
Concerns surrounding chemical exposure in personal care products are not entirely new.
Over the past decade, litigation involving talc-based baby powder products containing asbestos brought national attention to how everyday consumer products can pose unexpected health risks. During those cases, researchers noted that Black women were more likely than White women to use talcum powder in the genital area as part of their personal hygiene routine, potentially increasing exposure to harmful substances. Thousands of lawsuits alleged that manufacturers failed to adequately warn consumers about potential risks, resulting in billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer remains the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States and is the deadliest cancer of the female reproductive system. Black women continue to experience poorer feminine cancer outcomes and higher mortality rates than White women.
The Natural Hair Movement and Consumer Awareness
As concerns about chemical exposures have grown, many Black women have embraced natural hairstyles and reduced or eliminated their use of chemical relaxers. However, researchers caution that some endocrine-disrupting chemicals may remain in the body long after exposure has ended.
In addition, not all potentially harmful ingredients appear on product labels. Manufacturers may classify certain fragrance or proprietary formulations as trade secrets, limiting consumers' ability to fully understand what products contain.
While many newer "clean beauty" brands have removed or reduced certain chemicals of concern, these products often come with higher price tags and shorter shelf lives. Cost remains a significant barrier for many black women, particularly those already facing job instability and economic challenges. As a result, traditional products containing ingredients of concern continue to be widely used.
The Bigger Question
The emerging research raises a broader question that scientists continue to investigate:
To what extent are the reproductive health disparities experienced by Black women driven by genetics, and how much may be influenced by environmental exposures—including the personal care products many have used throughout their lives?
There is no simple answer.
Researchers agree that reproductive health is shaped by a complex interaction of biology, environmental exposures, healthcare access, chronic stress, and social determinants of health. Understanding the role each factor plays will require continued scientific research and greater transparency from manufacturers.
Why This Matters
For many Black women, this conversation is deeply personal.
At Just Listen to Us (JL2US), we believe Black women deserve more than awareness after concerns are identified. We deserve rigorous research that reflects our lived experiences, transparency from manufacturers about the ingredients in products marketed to our communities, and public health policies that prioritize prevention alongside treatment. Advancing health equity means examining every factor that may influence health—including the environments we live in, the products we use, and the information available to help us make informed decisions. By elevating these conversations, JL2US hopes to empower communities with knowledge while encouraging continued research, accountability, and solutions that help close persistent health disparities..
References
- "Environmental Research study on endocrine-disrupting chemicals in Black hair products" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/0)
- "American Cancer Society: Ovarian Cancer Facts & Figures" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/1)
- "National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): Hair products and endocrine-disrupting chemicals research" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/2)
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