Fact Check: Applying perfume on neck harms thyroid gland? Claim oversimplifies science

Hyderabad: A video about the apparent dangers to the thyroid gland from perfumes has gone viral.

On November 20, a woman with the Instagram handle ‘cleanlivingtogether’ shared a video which had text on it: ‘This is why I never put perfume on my neck’.

The video, originally from Instagram handle ‘ayuswellnessuk’, features a man explaining why he stopped using perfume on his neck.

The man in the video said: “Hold up a second. I stopped using perfume a few years ago and this is one of the reasons why, but if you are still using perfume, please stop spraying it on your neck like this. See, every time you do this, you’re spraying that perfume directly onto your thyroid gland, and that’s not just a random body part, your thyroid is one of your hormone control centres, controls your metabolism, your energy, and even your mood,” the man said.

He continued: “Most perfumes are packed with hormone-disrupting chemicals. You’ve got phthalates, parabens and synthetic fragrances. All these kinds of chemicals can mimic or block your natural hormones. They mess with your thyroid’s delicate balance, and that thin skin on your neck, it absorbs everything, and once it’s in, it travels through your bloodstream.”

The caption of the post was about the effect of chemicals on the thyroid gland: “Your thyroid sits just under your skin: tiny, fragile and insanely absorbent. So, when you spray perfume on your neck, it’s not just ‘a nice scent.’ Those chemicals land directly on one of the most sensitive hormone centres in your entire body. Phthalates, solvents, fixatives… they don’t just stay on the surface. They go in. Right where your thyroid regulates your energy, metabolism, mood and hormones.”

The video has crossed a crore views, received nearly 2.5 lakh likes, and been shared by over 10 lakh people. Similar videos have appeared in Tamil and Malayalam.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that while certain perfume chemicals can be absorbed through skin and may affect hormones, the claim that spraying perfume on the neck delivers these chemicals directly into the thyroid gland is scientifically inaccurate.

The anatomical reality

Hyderabad-based dermatologist Dr C Madhavi rubbished the ‘mechanism’ of perfume chemicals directly reaching the thyroid: “Yes, certain fragrance ingredients such as phthalates, parabens and some synthetic musks are recognised endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and yes, small amounts of these compounds can be absorbed through the skin. However, the idea that spraying perfume on the neck delivers these chemicals ‘directly’ into the thyroid gland because it lies anatomically nearby is incorrect and oversimplified.”

She explained the anatomy: “The thyroid does not sit immediately under the skin, nor is it a directly exposed or ‘absorbent’ surface. It is protected by layers of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and neck musculature. Chemicals applied to the skin do not travel vertically into the organ beneath them.”

How does the absorption work?

Dr Madhavi detailed how absorption works: “All percutaneous (through the skin) absorption follows the same pathway: through the skin barrier -> into superficial blood vessels -> into systemic circulation. Once a compound is in the bloodstream, it is distributed throughout the body, including potentially to the thyroid, liver, reproductive organs or brain. This systemic route is the same whether perfume is sprayed on the neck, wrist or any other body area with similar skin thickness.”

She concluded: “While the general concern about endocrine-disrupting chemicals in fragrances is scientifically valid, the claim that perfume sprayed on the neck reaches or harms the thyroid gland because of its physical proximity is not supported by endocrinology, dermatology or toxicology evidence. The risk, if any, comes from overall exposure to certain chemicals, not from applying perfume near the thyroid.”

Where did the science behind the skin absorption claim come from?

The notion of skin absorption came from a 2022 study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering. It is titled ‘Evaluation of pollutants in perfumes, colognes and health effects on the consumer: a systematic review’.

The research stated that aromatic compounds with endocrine-disrupting properties penetrate the bloodstream through the skin and can affect the thyroid through systemic circulation.

However, the research does not support key claims made in viral videos.

The document does not state that perfume sprayed on the neck goes directly into the thyroid gland, that the thyroid is ‘insanely absorbent,’ that perfume reaches the thyroid faster because the gland is physically close, that spraying perfume on the neck is worse than spraying it on the arm or wrist, or that perfume causes thyroid disease based on the location of spraying.

There is no scientific line in the study supporting the claim that perfume travels from the neck skin straight into the thyroid gland.

The viral claim that spraying perfume on the neck directly harms the thyroid gland because of physical proximity is scientifically inaccurate.

While perfume chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting the thyroid and other organs, this occurs through systemic circulation, not direct transfer to nearby organs.

The location of perfume application does not determine which organs are affected. The concern about endocrine-disrupting chemicals in fragrances is valid, but the mechanism described in viral videos oversimplifies and misrepresents the science.

The claim is misleading.

Legitimate health concerns about perfumes

Dr Madhavi noted that broader health concerns about perfume chemicals are well-documented: “Studies show that many perfumes and colognes contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, triclosan, terpenes, aldehydes, benzene, toluene, styrene and aluminium-based salts. These chemicals are linked to several health problems.”

She outlined major risks. Perfume ingredients can trigger skin allergies, dermatitis, rashes and eye irritation. “Perfume is one of the most common allergens found in cosmetic allergy cases,” Dr Madhavi stated.

For respiratory issues, strong evidence links fragrance chemicals to asthma attacks; up to 75 per cent of asthma patients report fragrance triggers, along with shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. “Terpenes in perfumes can react with ozone and produce formaldehyde, a harmful indoor pollutant,” she explained.

Dr Madhavi explained the process behind hormone disruption: “Phthalates, parabens, nitro-musks and triclosan can interfere with hormones, leading to thyroid dysfunction, adrenal gland disruption, reproductive hormone imbalance and early puberty or menstrual cycle changes. These chemicals behave like oestrogen mimics.”

Chances of damage to reproductive processes and cancer

The study above links perfume chemicals to reproductive damage.

In men, this includes reduced sperm count, sperm DNA damage and increased risk of prostate or testicular cancer.

In women, effects include ovarian dysfunction and fertility issues. During pregnancy, exposure can cause neurological effects on the foetus, a higher risk of autism and thyroid problems in newborns.

Regarding cancer risks, Dr Madhavi noted: “Parabens have been found in breast tumour tissue, aluminium-based antiperspirants are linked to cancers in the upper outer breast quadrant, and phthalates are linked to breast cancer promotion."

She also listed nervous system damage (migraines, dizziness, seizures in extreme cases), immune system problems (lymph node swelling, fatigue) and that perfume chemicals contribute to indoor air pollution, affecting not only the user but people nearby.