Doctors are encouraging people to check the ingredients in their shower products after warning that some common bathroom staples may contain chemicals that have raised health concerns, including possible links to cancer.
Some cancer risks, including getting older, inherited genetics and family history, are beyond personal control. But specialists say another factor may be easier to address: the substances found in products used on the body every day.
“Cancer development is a multi-step process and repeated exposure to harmful substances in our food, water and consumer products can cause progressive cellular damage,” said Dr James McCloskey, chief of the leukemia division at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, who added that this knowledge can empower people to make informed lifestyle choices and push for stronger regulation of harmful chemicals.
Experts say the biggest concern is not that a single shower product will cause cancer, but that long-term exposure to certain ingredients may add to overall chemical burden. The American Cancer Society says there is little evidence that normal use of cosmetics increases cancer risk, but also notes that more research is needed on the long-term effects of many ingredients and contaminants.
The concern raised by oncologists focuses on one product many people use without much thought: strongly scented body wash.
Specialists who spoke to Parade said fragranced shower gels and body cleansers can contain ingredients that, over time, may not be as harmless as they seem, even if they are marketed as freshening and cleansing.
“Ironically, products we believe are cleansing and revitalizing ourselves may be harming us in the process,” said Dr Sudarsan Kollimuttathuillam, a medical oncologist at City of Hope Seacliff, explaining that certain ingredients could raise cancer risk if used consistently over long periods.
Dr McCloskey outlined the ingredients that experts are paying closest attention to.
“Phthalates, often hidden in ‘fragrance,’ can mimic hormones, a process linked to an increased risk of breast cancer,” he explained.
“Parabens, used as preservatives, also act like estrogen and pose similar concerns. Sulfates (SLS) create lather, but their manufacturing can produce a cancer-causing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.”
He also noted that preservatives including DMDM hydantoin can gradually release formaldehyde, a substance already recognized as a carcinogen.
In the United States, cosmetic products and ingredients generally do not need FDA premarket approval, and fragrance formulas may be protected as trade secrets, which can make it harder for consumers to know exactly what is in a product from the label alone. Under newer federal cosmetic rules, companies also face expanded responsibilities for product listing, safety substantiation and, eventually, fragrance allergen disclosure.
Even with those warnings, doctors say people should keep the issue in perspective.
“We don’t have proof that every fragranced body wash is harmful,” said Dr Kollimuttathuillam, explaining that researchers are still trying to establish whether repeated, long-term exposure could contribute to health risks for certain people.
Dr Adeel Khan, an academic hematologist-oncologist and epidemiologist based in Dallas, echoed that view, saying that “for most people, occasional use is unlikely to be a major cancer or other health risk.” Still, he said reducing everyday use of heavily scented products may be sensible, especially for people with sensitive skin, asthma, migraines, or for those who are pregnant or buying products for children.
For people who want a lower-exposure alternative, doctors suggested a few straightforward substitutions.
Dr Kollimuttathuillam said one of the simplest changes is choosing a fragrance-free body wash instead.
“You still get the cleansing benefits without the added fragrance ingredients,” he said, though he recommends checking the ingredients list rather than trusting marketing claims like “paraben-free.”
Traditional bar soap may also be a better pick. Dr McCloskey said these products often contain fewer ingredients than liquid body wash.
“They often don’t require the same level of preservatives, like parabens or formaldehyde-releasers, because they are solid and contain less water,” he said, adding that this significantly cuts down on overall chemical exposure.
Another option highlighted by experts was pure liquid castile soap, which is made from saponified vegetable oil.
“It contains no synthetic detergents, preservatives or foaming agents,” Dr McCloskey explained.
Doctors also advise that if a product’s label lists “fragrance” or “perfume,” it can be difficult to tell whether it contains specific ingredients some people may want to avoid. FDA guidance says that for people worried about fragrance sensitivities, fragrance-free products may be a better choice, but “fragrance-free” claims should still be checked against the ingredient list.
In the end, doctors say the message is about making informed choices rather than reacting with fear.
“I’d look at this as an opportunity rather than an emergency,” said Dr Kollimuttathuillam.
“Most cancer risks develop over a lifetime and involve many factors, not one body wash or one ingredient.”