Hormones, digestion, menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. These words describe the work and passion of Maria Navas, a nutritionist and specialist in hormones and women’s health.

Maria is passionate about explaining how the body works so that her patients can feel better. And perhaps that is where the answer to many things that happen to us lies. Listening to and understanding our bodies allows us to respond to their needs, improve our well-being, and strengthen our connection with ourselves.

At Nooda, we had the opportunity to meet Maria and chat with her and other women about women’s health and why it is essential to know our bodies, understand, and care for what happens inside and outside of them.

1. What led you to dedicate your time to studying the female body in the way that you do?

I discovered the world of hormonal health when I started working with patients. One of my first cases was a woman trying to lose weight, but none of the diets she had followed were working. That’s when I learned about something called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Little by little, my professional curiosity led me to explore the topic further, until I realized that women experience a constant hormonal dance—not just throughout each menstrual cycle, but also in every stage of life (adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause…). And up until that moment, I had no idea. How could I be experiencing it in my own body without knowing it?

Today, this is one of the topics that drives me the most. I believe that all women should understand what happens in their bodies depending on their hormonal and life stage. If we had this knowledge, we could make better decisions and face fewer health problems.

2. Your work is highly focused on hormones. How do hormones impact the health of the skin (body and scalp) in women?

Hormones impact 99.9% of everything that happens in our bodies, if not 100%. When sex hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone are imbalanced, they can cause changes in the skin, hair, and body and facial hair.

Each type of imbalance leads to specific symptoms. The most common ones include acne (both on the face and back), hair loss or thinning, dry skin and mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, and vagina), and excessive facial hair growth, among others.

3. Are there ingredients in conventional beauty products that can disrupt hormonal balance, and how do natural cosmetics offer a safer alternative?

Any potentially toxic chemical compound that enters our bodies must be processed by the liver to ensure its elimination. When we are exposed to a high number of products with toxic components, the liver can become overwhelmed, making it harder to metabolize certain hormones, such as estrogen.

This can lead to symptoms of estrogen dominance, such as premenstrual syndrome, painful and heavy periods, and even worsen conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis.

Natural cosmetics are a safer choice because they do not contribute to this liver overload, thanks to the nature of their ingredients. Additionally, our liver finds it much easier to process and eliminate natural-origin substances compared to artificial ones with a higher toxic potential.

4. At Nooda, we believe in the power of a good care routine, both physically and holistically. We often read that high stress levels can affect our skin. Is this true? How can self-care routines help?

Stress puts the immune system on high alert, which is responsible for repairing any damage our body experiences throughout the day and fighting cellular oxidation. Additionally, the time when our immune system is most active is during sleep.

Therefore, stress not only reduces our antioxidant capacity but also affects sleep quality, worsening problems such as the appearance of spots and wrinkles on the skin.

Incorporating a nighttime skincare routine can serve as a moment to slow down, relax, and prepare for a better-quality rest.

5. How can natural cosmetics affect the skin during periods of hormonal change?

Natural skincare products help maintain healthy, balanced skin without adding extra stress to the liver and other detoxification organs. This allows the body to focus its energy on eliminating excess hormones when needed, rather than being burdened by external toxins.

6. Why is it important to consider the whole body—inside and out—when choosing our beauty products?

It’s important because EVERYTHING affects us. Never before in human history have we been exposed to such a large number of artificial molecules. Some of these substances belong to a group called endocrine disruptors, compounds that mimic the body’s natural hormones but with much stronger effects.

For example, if we use a cosmetic product every day that is packaged in a container containing bisphenol A (BPA), this substance can enter our bodies and act as if it were testosterone—but with a much more intense effect. This can increase the risk of hyperandrogenic symptoms, such as facial hair growth, irregular cycles, or anovulation.

BPA is one of the most well-known and studied endocrine disruptors, but we are exposed to many more. The sheer amount of these compounds in our daily lives can be overwhelming, so my advice is always to start with small changes. Replacing skincare products with safer alternatives is a simple yet impactful step.

7. Working with women must be very inspiring. What have you learned from seeing so many women in different stages of life?

In my work, I see many women who experience constant discomfort, pain, chronic fatigue, and other health issues. At the end of each consultation, I ask them to rate their overall health on a scale from 0 to 10.

The answers vary, but I’m often struck by how many women rate themselves at a 7 or 8 — even after describing all the symptoms they endure daily. Their mental strength and resilience impress me, but at the same time, it saddens me to see how much effort they put into keeping up with society’s expectations and fast-paced demands.

Without a doubt, what inspires me the most is their dedication and commitment to improving their well-being, despite everything.

8. Finally, what makes you feel beautiful?

Something that makes me feel beautiful is receiving good news in my work. Even though it doesn’t have a direct impact on my appearance, it gives me a boost of self-confidence.

I think I will never stop being amazed at how much a person’s life can change when they adopt a healthier lifestyle and diet. The results can be so impressive that sometimes, even I can’t believe them!