COSMETICS AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS: WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE EARLY ONSET OF PUBERTY

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the relationship between exposure to endocrine disruptors present in cosmetics and the early onset of puberty in children and adolescents. Precocious puberty has been observed with increasing frequency in recent decades, especially among girls, and is associated with significant physical, emotional, and social consequences. Among the environmental factors involved, endocrine disruptors stand out as chemical substances capable of interfering with the hormonal system, widely present in everyday products such as makeup, creams, shampoos, and sunscreens. Compounds such as phthalates, parabens, bisphenol A, and phenols have been associated with the anticipation of pubertal events, including thelarche and menarche, as well as relevant hormonal alterations. This is an integrative literature review conducted through searches in the PubMed, BVS, and LILACS databases, including articles published in the last ten years in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. A total of 12 primary studies with different methodological designs were analyzed. The results indicated a consistent association between exposure to endocrine disruptors and the early onset of puberty, although the magnitude of the effects varies according to the type of compound, dose, and duration of exposure. It is concluded that, despite existing methodological limitations, the evidence reinforces the need for stricter regulatory policies and for new longitudinal studies to deepen the understanding of this phenomenon and its impacts on child health.