Can parabens in shampoo and lotion affect your child's hunger hormones?

What's actually in it

Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) are preservatives added to shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, and other personal care products to prevent mold and bacteria growth. They're in most conventional products you'd find at a drugstore, including many made for children.

Parabens are weak estrogen mimics. They get absorbed through the skin and show up in urine within hours of application. Children use these products daily, often on large skin areas, creating steady, repeated exposure during a critical period of development.

What the research says

A 2025 study in Environ Res measured paraben levels in the urine of preschool-age children and then tested how those levels related to hormones that control hunger and fullness. The study was part of the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort in Belgium, which follows children from before birth through childhood.

Children with higher paraben exposure had altered levels of leptin and adiponectin, two hormones that tell your brain when to eat and when to stop. Leptin signals fullness, while adiponectin helps regulate metabolism. When these hormones are off-balance, it can lead to overeating or metabolic problems down the road.

The effects were measurable even at the relatively low paraben levels found in this group of healthy preschoolers. The study couldn't prove parabens directly caused the hormone changes, but the pattern was consistent and held after adjusting for body weight, diet, and other factors.

Switching to paraben-free shampoos, lotions, and sunscreens for your children is a simple way to reduce exposure. Check the ingredient list for anything ending in "-paraben." Many brands now offer paraben-free options at similar price points.