SKINCARE products containing a cocktail of chemicals could leave women infertile or even cause breast cancers, research reveals.

A groundbreaking study discovered chemicals commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products are linked to changes in fertility and sexuality hormones.

Even low exposure to parabens and Bisphenol A (BPA) could affect reproductive hormone levels.

Certain chemicals were found to increase women's levels of oestrogen which could have a knock-on effect on oestrogen-dependent diseases such as breast cancer.

More than 500 urine samples were collected from 143 women aged 18 to 44 to examine the environmental chemicals found in beauty products, such as parabens and benzophenones.

The research was the first of its kind to examine mixtures of chemicals in personal care products in relation to hormones in healthy, reproductive-aged women using several methods of exposure across the menstrual cycle.

Levels of reproductive hormones were shown to either increase or decrease in association with various different chemicals and UV filters, highlighting the complexities of such chemicals.

Dr Ania Pollack, assistant professor at George Mason University in the United States, said: "As we go about our daily lives, we are exposed to many different chemicals that could have negative effects on our hormones.

"These hormonal changes have been linked to several adverse health outcomes such as breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.

"Therefore, understanding chemicals that influence hormone levels is important for public health, and particularly for women's health, since their exposure to these chemicals is often higher due to their presence in beauty and personal care products."

Dr Pollack now believes women should be careful about the beauty products they use as the study - published in the Environment International journal - showed parabens may increase estrogen levels.

She added: "If this finding is confirmed by additional research, it could have implications for oestrogen-dependent diseases such as breast cancer."