‘Stop spraying perfume on your neck’: Cambridge cancer researcher explains how perfume ingredients may disrupt hormones

Ana Canadas, a PhD student at the University of Cambridge's Department of Pathology, warned against spraying perfume on the neck in an Instagram video.

Perfumes can contain endocrine disruptors like formaldehyde-releasing products, phthalates, and volatile organic compounds, which may mimic or block hormones.

Studies link these chemicals to infertility, respiratory problems, and cancer.

Manufacturers can legally list ingredients as 'fragrance' or 'parfum,' hiding thousands of chemicals from consumers.

A 2025 review in Frontiers in Toxicology analyzed the health risks of perfumes and other cosmetic products.