Can personal care chemicals affect thyroid health during pregnancy?

What's actually in it

Personal-care products can include bisphenols, phthalates, parabens, PFAS-related chemicals, fragrance ingredients, preservatives, and UV filters. Not every product is a problem. The issue is daily repeat exposure from many products at once.

During pregnancy, thyroid hormone helps support fetal brain development. If you already watch your thyroid, simplifying your bathroom routine is a practical step.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environment International combined evidence from epidemiology, animal, and cell studies with a prospective cohort of 803 pregnant women. The study found associations between several personal-care chemical markers, including BPS, phthalate metabolites, PFOS, and PFUdA, and thyroid function markers during the second and third trimesters.

This does not prove one soap causes thyroid disease. It does support lowering avoidable exposure. Use simpler soaps, skip fragrance when you can, avoid unnecessary sprays, and choose products with shorter ingredient lists. For leave-on products, read labels more closely because they stay on skin longer.