A groundbreaking study where Latina teens became co-researchers to investigate chemical exposure in personal care products
After just 3 days of using low-chemical products, participants showed a 25-45% reduction in endocrine-disrupting chemicals in their bodies 1
Imagine a world where your daily beauty routine—the soap, makeup, and lotions you use—could be subtly interfering with your body's natural hormones. For teenagers, who use more personal care products than most adults, this is more than a hypothetical concern; it's a potential health risk.
In the agricultural heartland of Salinas, California, a group of Latino youth decided to stop wondering and start investigating. They became co-researchers in a groundbreaking study that not only uncovered startling truths about chemical exposure but also demonstrated the transformative power of putting science directly into the hands of young people.
This is the story of the HERMOSA study, where "hermosa" (Spanish for "beautiful") reflects both the Latina teens at the heart of the research and the beautiful promise of community-driven science 1 .
The project engaged Latino youth as scientific partners, not just study subjects, ensuring cultural relevance and community empowerment 3 .
Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable as their bodies undergo rapid reproductive development guided by precise hormonal signals 1 .
Before diving into the study itself, it's crucial to understand the "invisible intruders" at the center of this research: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). These are substances that can mimic, block, or interfere with the body's hormones—the delicate chemical messengers that regulate everything from growth and metabolism to reproduction and mood 3 .
Of the over 10,000 chemical ingredients used in cosmetics, very few have been thoroughly tested for long-term toxicity, and few federal regulations limit their use 3 .
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) operates on the principle that the people most affected by an issue should be central to investigating it. The young researchers in Salinas weren't just study subjects; they were scientific partners 3 .
This approach helps ensure that research is culturally relevant and that its benefits directly empower the community. By engaging Latino youth, the project tapped into firsthand understanding of the product use patterns and cultural nuances of their community, while simultaneously building a pipeline for future scientists and health advocates from within that same community.
The Health and Environmental Research in Make-up Of Salinas Adolescents (HERMOSA) Study was designed to answer two critical questions: Are teenage girls being exposed to EDCs through their personal care products, and if so, could simply switching to safer products reduce that exposure? 1
The youth researchers enrolled 100 Latina teens aged 14-18 from their community. They inventoried all the personal care products each participant was using and collected an initial urine sample to measure baseline levels of several EDCs 1 3 .
For the next three days, the study participants stopped using their regular products. Instead, they used provided alternatives that were lower in the targeted chemicals. This careful selection of low-chemical products was a key part of the intervention strategy 1 .
After the three-day trial period, a second urine sample was collected from each participant 1 .
Researchers at UC Berkeley then analyzed the urine samples, comparing the concentration of EDCs before and after the product switch to determine if the intervention had made a difference 1 .
| Tool / Material | Function in the HERMOSA Study |
|---|---|
| Product Inventory Survey | To meticulously document all personal care products used by each participant, creating a baseline for exposure sources 3 . |
| Low-Chemical Alternative Products | The key intervention material; pre-selected products verified to be free of or low in the specific EDCs being studied 1 . |
| Urine Sample Collection Kits | Standardized materials for collecting and storing biological samples to ensure accurate measurement of chemical biomarkers later 3 . |
| Biomonitoring Analysis | Laboratory techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry) used to precisely quantify the concentration of specific EDCs and their metabolites in urine 1 . |
| Educational Materials | Resources developed by youth researchers to translate complex findings into actionable, accessible information for their community 3 . |
The findings were both striking and unequivocal. After just three days of using low-chemical alternative products, the participants showed a significant decrease in the levels of harmful chemicals in their bodies.
This dramatic drop, consistent across multiple chemical types, delivered a powerful one-two punch: it confirmed that personal care products are a major source of exposure to these hormones disruptors, and it demonstrated that consumers can rapidly reduce their body burden of these chemicals by making informed choices 1 3 .
The HERMOSA study's impact extended far beyond a scientific publication. For the youth co-researchers, it was a hands-on masterclass in leadership and environmental health literacy. The project was structured to help them develop progressively advanced critical thinking skills, following a framework similar to Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives 3 .
Grasping core concepts and executing research tasks.
Example: Learning about EDCs, then recruiting participants and collecting data according to the protocol 3 .
Assessing information, judging strategies, and critiquing findings.
Example: Interpreting the study results and evaluating their significance for the community's health 3 .
Using knowledge to take action and educate others.
Example: Developing community education materials and advocacy campaigns to share the study's findings 3 .
This journey from learner to leader is a hallmark of authentic youth engagement. As one analysis noted, youth demonstrate agency and become a force for change when given "hands-on opportunities to practice citizen science and advocacy" 2 . The HERMOSA youth didn't just collect data; they disseminated results, spoke to policymakers, and became trusted messengers for environmental health in their communities 3 .
The HERMOSA study offers a powerful blueprint for the future of public health research. It proves that merging rigorous science with deep community engagement produces results that are both scientifically sound and personally meaningful. The dramatic findings provide clear guidance for consumers, suggesting that scrutinizing product ingredients and choosing safer alternatives can have a real, measurable impact on personal exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Perhaps most importantly, the study showcases the incredible potential that lies in trusting young people with complex scientific challenges. They are not just a "vulnerable group" affected by environmental problems; they are capable, insightful, and motivated partners in driving solutions 7 . By investing in youth-led science, we don't just generate data—we cultivate a new generation of environmentally health-literate leaders equipped to protect the health of their communities for years to come.