Ingredient

Hydrolyzed Placental Extract

Hydrolyzed Placental Extract is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, PCOS, postpartum and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is hormone disruptor and fetal development.

By Team TruvaLast checked

Verdict by profile

Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.

Strongest verdict
Not Recommended
Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
Profiles flagged
6 of 6
Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
Irritancy
2 of 5
Higher means more likely to sting or redden
PregnancyAVOID

Hydrolyzed Placental Extract and pregnancy

Not Recommended

Hydrolyzed placental extract is derived from animal placenta and contains naturally occurring hormones including estrogens, progesterone, and various growth factors. These bioactive compounds are designed to penetrate the skin and exert cellular effects, which is precisely why the ingredient is used in anti-aging products. During pregnancy, exposure to exogenous hormones is a significant concern for fetal development. According to endocrinology research, even topical application of hormone-containing substances can result in systemic absorption, particularly when used repeatedly over large surface areas. The fetus is especially vulnerable to hormonal disruption during critical developmental windows, particularly in the first trimester when organ systems are forming. Most obstetricians and dermatologists advise avoiding any cosmetic ingredients derived from hormonal tissues during pregnancy. The EU Cosmetics Regulation restricts the use of placental extracts due to concerns about hormonal activity and potential biological contamination. ACOG recommends a precautionary approach to all hormone-disrupting substances during pregnancy. Given that the ingredient's primary mechanism of action involves hormonal and growth factor activity, avoidance during pregnancy is the medically conservative approach.

BreastfeedingAVOID

Hydrolyzed Placental Extract and breastfeeding

Not Recommended

Placental extracts contain fat-soluble hormones and growth factors that can be absorbed systemically through the skin. Because these compounds are lipophilic, they have the potential to accumulate in fatty tissues and transfer into breast milk, which has a high fat content. The concern for breastfeeding mothers is infant exposure to exogenous hormones and growth factors through milk consumption. Newborns and infants have immature detoxification systems and are particularly sensitive to hormonal disruption. The AAD notes that any ingredient with significant hormonal activity should be avoided during breastfeeding to prevent potential effects on infant development, including endocrine disruption. While specific studies on placental extract transfer to breast milk are lacking, the biological plausibility of hormone transfer combined with the known presence of active hormones in these products makes avoidance the prudent choice. Most dermatologists recommend postponing use of placental extracts until after weaning.

PostpartumCAUTION

Hydrolyzed Placental Extract and postpartum

Caution Advised

For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, hydrolyzed placental extract may offer anti-aging and skin-regenerating benefits through its peptide and growth factor content. The ingredient is marketed for improving skin elasticity and reducing fine lines, which can be appealing concerns after pregnancy. However, the hormonal content remains a consideration even when not breastfeeding. Women in the postpartum period are already experiencing significant hormonal fluctuations as the body returns to pre-pregnancy state. Adding exogenous hormones through skincare could theoretically interfere with this natural rebalancing process. Additionally, the EU's restriction on these ingredients reflects broader safety concerns about repeated exposure to hormone-containing cosmetics. Many dermatologists suggest waiting at least 3-6 months postpartum before using products with hormonal activity, allowing the body's natural hormone levels to stabilize first.

Trying to ConceiveAVOID

Hydrolyzed Placental Extract and trying to conceive

Not Recommended

Women trying to conceive are in a critical window where hormonal balance directly affects fertility and early embryonic development. The preconception period is when eggs are maturing and the uterine environment is being prepared for potential implantation. Exposure to exogenous hormones during this time can interfere with natural ovulation cycles and early pregnancy establishment. Reproductive endocrinologists recommend that women trying to conceive adopt the same precautionary approach as pregnant women regarding hormone-disrupting substances. Because conception timing is often uncertain, and early pregnancy (before a positive test) is a critical developmental period, avoidance of placental extracts should begin when actively trying to conceive. The fat-soluble hormones in placental extracts can also accumulate in tissues over time, meaning cessation should ideally occur several weeks before attempting conception to allow clearance.

PCOSAVOID

Hydrolyzed Placental Extract and PCOS

Not Recommended

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is fundamentally a hormonal disorder characterized by elevated androgens, irregular menstrual cycles, and often insulin resistance. Women with PCOS have a delicate hormonal balance that is easily disrupted by external influences. Placental extracts contain multiple hormones including estrogens, progesterone, and growth factors that can interfere with the already dysregulated hormonal environment in PCOS. Introducing additional exogenous hormones through skincare products could potentially worsen symptoms or interfere with PCOS treatments such as hormonal birth control or anti-androgen medications. Endocrinologists who treat PCOS generally recommend that patients avoid unnecessary exposure to hormone-containing products. While the ingredient might offer cosmetic benefits for aging or skin texture, the hormonal risks for women with PCOS outweigh these benefits. There are numerous effective alternatives for anti-aging and skin health that do not carry hormonal concerns.

General UseCAUTION

Hydrolyzed Placental Extract and general use

Caution Advised

For the general population not in reproductive categories, hydrolyzed placental extract is used in cosmetics for its purported anti-aging effects through growth factors, peptides, and amino acids. The ingredient is popular in some international markets, particularly in Asian skincare products. However, concerns remain about chronic exposure to hormone-containing cosmetics. Studies on endocrine-disrupting chemicals suggest that repeated, long-term exposure to even low levels of exogenous hormones can have cumulative effects on health. The EU has taken a precautionary approach by restricting placental extracts in cosmetics due to these concerns. There is also a potential for allergic reactions, as animal-derived proteins can trigger immune responses in sensitive individuals. The ingredient's regulatory status varies globally, with stricter controls in the EU compared to the US and some Asian markets. Many dermatologists suggest that the theoretical benefits do not outweigh the potential risks when safer, well-studied alternatives like peptides, niacinamide, and bakuchiol are available. Individuals with a history of hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, endometriosis) should particularly avoid this ingredient.

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Provenance

Where this came from

Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.

Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .

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