Green Daily

The placenta is a wonderful organ that receives nutrients, oxygen, antibodies, and hormones from the pregnant mother, gives them to a developing fetus and then passes out the waste.

It also found in cosmetics like hair conditioners and face creams. I knew this, somewhere in the back of my mind, and David at The Good Human reminded me this week.

According to EWG's Cosmetics Database, placental extract has a moderate hazard rating. The placenta produces loads of progesterone, estrogen and other hormones, which are beneficial to a developing fetus, but possibly not so desirable in a personal care product. Here's a scary study: Four girls between one and eight years of age developed breast or pubic hair two to 24 months after starting the use of estrogen- or placenta-containing hair products. The development of breasts and pubic hair regressed when they stopped using the products and no other cause for early sexual development was found.

Also, if using animal products is a concern for you, placental extract is obviously something you would want to avoid.

Here is a list of products that contain placental extract, should you wish to avoid them!