A line of research released a few weeks ago suggests that certain beauty products, especially those containing lavender and tea-tree oil can have unwanted effects on pre-pubescent boys. Specifically, these ingredients may lead to gynecomastia (abnormally large breasts in men).

While the study does not specify that exposure to these ingredients CAUSES the abnormal breast development, it did identify a very strong link between these substances and their effects on pre-teen boys. Lavender and tea tree oil are both thought to act similar to estrogen in the body.

Gynecomastia is caused by an imbalance between estrogen (”female” hormones) and androgens (”male” hormones). Young boys do not produce very much testosterone, so their bodies can not counteract the estrogen-like effects of lavender and tea tree oil.

The study states that this condition is rare, and can be reversed if the offending products are no longer used.

If you have young men in your house, check your hair and skin products for lavender and tea tree oil. If your products contain these ingredients, provide your sons with alternative hair or skin products to use. This will keep their hormones in proper check without any unwanted side-effects.