Phthalates seem harmless as they are colorless, odorless liquids, but there is growing concern about their potential effects on human health and the environment 1. They are a group of chemicals used to soften and increase the flexibility of plastics and are also found in many personal care products, including lotions, perfumes, and deodorants 1. This article will explore the reasons why you should avoid skin care products that contain phthalates.
What are Phthalates?
Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid, a group of man-made chemicals developed in the 1920s to make plastics more flexible and durable 1. They are often called "plasticizers" because of this use. Phthalates do not evaporate easily and are not chemically bound to the materials they are added to, which means they can leach out of products and into the environment 1. They can also contaminate food when it comes into contact with packaging containing phthalates 3. Phthalates tend to connect, and this creates even more harmful effects when people are exposed to them 2.
While phthalates may have some positive benefits, such as creating a velvety texture and smoothing and hydrating the skin's appearance, there are concerns about their potential negative effects 4.
How are Phthalates Used in Skin Care Products?
Phthalates are commonly added to personal care products, such as lotions, perfumes, deodorants, hair gels, shampoos, and soaps 1. They can help lubricate other substances in the formula, carry fragrances, and enhance the absorption of other ingredients 1.
Here are some specific examples of how phthalates are used in skin care products:
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is often used in nail polishes to decrease cracking 6.
- Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) is often used in hair sprays to help create a flexible film that decreases hair stiffness 6.
- Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is used in fragrances and as a solvent 6. It is also used in some moisturizers to help them absorb into the skin 7.
Environmental Impact of Phthalates
Phthalates are not only a concern for human health but also for the environment. They can be persistent pollutants, meaning they do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in water and soil 8. Some phthalates are bioaccumulative and have been detected in aquatic organisms 3. Phthalates can be released from products through heat, agitation, and prolonged storage 3. This can have negative impacts on wildlife, including hormone disruption, impaired reproduction, and toxicity to aquatic life 8.
Negative Effects of Phthalates
Direct Effects on Skin
While research on the direct effects of phthalates on the skin is limited, some studies suggest potential concerns:
- Skin irritation: Diethyl phthalate can be mildly irritating when applied to the skin 9.
- Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to phthalates, which can cause skin irritation, redness, and swelling 10.
General Health Concerns
Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with the body's hormone systems 11. This can have a variety of negative effects, including:
- Changes in skin cell growth and function: Endocrine disruption can affect the skin's ability to regenerate and repair itself.
- Reproductive and developmental toxicity: Phthalates have been linked to reproductive problems in both men and women, as well as developmental issues in children 8.
- Increased risk of chronic diseases: Studies suggest that regular exposure to phthalates may increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer 12.
Specific Health Risks of Different Phthalates:
- BBP: May cause cancer in humans (research shows it may have caused cancer in lab rats) 12.
- DBP: Damages the reproductive systems of lab rats, especially males, and can irritate human skin 12.
- DEHP: Confirmed to cause cancer in animals and expected to cause cancer in humans; causes developmental problems in animals 12.
- DiDP: Can irritate the eyes and skin, cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting 12.
- DINP: Causes tumors and developmental problems in lab rats; added to California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer in 2014 12.
- DnOP: Linked to endometriosis in women and caused problems in reproductive development in rats; can irritate the skin in both people and animals 12.
Increased Vulnerability of Children:
Children are more vulnerable to the effects of phthalates than adults due to their developing bodies and greater skin permeability 1. This means that children absorb phthalates more easily through their skin and that these chemicals can have a greater impact on their developing organs and systems.
How to Avoid Phthalates
Given the potential health and environmental concerns, it's wise to minimize your exposure to phthalates. Here's how:
Reading Labels:
- Ingredient Lists: Carefully check the ingredient list of personal care products. Phthalates may be listed by their full chemical names (e.g., dibutyl phthalate) or by more general terms like "fragrance" or "parfum" 5.
- "Phthalate-Free" Claims: Look for products explicitly labeled as "phthalate-free."
Choosing Phthalate-Free Products:
Many brands offer phthalate-free skin care products. Here are a few examples:
| Brand Category | Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Popular Brands | Bonjout Beauty Le Balm, 100% Pure, Badger Balm, Beautycounter, Dr. Bronner's, Innersense Organic Beauty |
| Avalon Organics Botanicals, Ecco Bella, Kiss My Face, Origins, Physicians Formula | |
| Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value | |
| Alpha-H, Amika, Anastasia Beverly Hills, APIVITA, Aveda | |
| bareMinerals, Benefit, Bumble and bumble, Burt's Bees, Cantu | |
| Clinique, Darphin, Drunk Elephant, e.l.f., FARMACY | |
| Farsali, Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, First Aid Beauty, Florence by Mills | |
| Frank Body, IMAGE Skincare, Isle of Paradise, Juice Beauty, K18 | |
| Kevyn Aucoin, Lash Star Beauty, Living Proof, L'Oreal Paris | |
| L'Oréal Professionnel, Lumene, Milk Makeup, Moroccanoil, Murad | |
| Olaplex, OUAI, Paula's Choice, REN, RevitaLash | |
| Rituals, Sol de Janeiro, STARSKIN, Stila, St Tropez | |
| Supergoop!, TAN-LUXE, Tanologist, Tarte Cosmetics, This Works | |
| Vapour Beauty, Virtue, Weleda, Wishful |
You can also find phthalate-free products at many retailers, including:
- Target 14
- Nordstrom 15
- Blue Mercury 16
Alternative Ingredients to Phthalates in Skin Care Products
Fortunately, there are many safe and effective alternatives to phthalates in skin care products. Some examples include:
- Triethyl citrate (TEC): A non-phthalate plasticizer derived from natural sources 17.
- Diethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT): A common alternative to phthalates in plastics 7.
- Bio-based plasticizers: These are derived from renewable resources, such as soy 7.
- Essential oils and botanical extracts: These can be used to provide fragrance without the use of phthalates 18.
Phthalates are pervasive chemicals found in various everyday products, including many skin care items. They have the potential to negatively impact human health and the environment. While more research is needed to fully understand their effects, it is prudent to avoid them whenever possible, especially for children who are more vulnerable to their effects. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective alternatives available, and many brands now offer phthalate-free skin care products. By choosing phthalate-free products and reading labels carefully, you can protect your health and the environment while still enjoying the benefits of skin care.
Works cited
1. Phthalates: The Everywhere Chemical, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.niehs.nih.gov/sites/default/files/research/supported/translational/peph/resources/assets/docs/phthalates_the_everywhere_chemical_zero_breast_cancer_508.pdf
2. Why should you avoid phthalates in cosmetics? – Minimalist, accessed March 11, 2025, https://beminimalist.co/blogs/skin-care/why-should-you-avoid-phthalates-in-cosmetics
3. www.uml.edu, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.uml.edu/docs/Phthalate%20and%20their%20Alternatives_tcm18-229903.pdf
4. Silicone in Hair and Skincare Products - ADA Cosmetics, accessed March 11, 2025, https://ada-cosmetics.com/expert-stories/silicones/
5. Phthalates in Skincare: How Can We Choose to Avoid Them?, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.robynskincare.com/blogs/the-root/phthalates-in-skincare
6. Phthalates: Everything you need to know | Curology, accessed March 11, 2025, https://curology.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-phthalates/
7. What Does Phthalate-Free Mean for Skin Care? - DefenAge, accessed March 11, 2025, https://defenage.com/skincare-guide/ingredient/what-does-phthalate-free-mean-for-skin-care
8. Phthalates - Washington State Department of Ecology - | WA.gov, accessed March 11, 2025, https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/addressing-priority-toxic-chemicals/phthalates
9. Diethyl phthalate | Public Health Statement | ATSDR - CDC, accessed March 11, 2025, https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/PHS/PHS.aspx?phsid=601&toxid=112
10. Phthalates in Cosmetics - FDA, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/phthalates-cosmetics
11. What are phthalates? | Environmental Working Group, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2024/09/what-are-phthalates
12. Phthalates: Are They Safe? - WebMD, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/what-are-phthalates
13. Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health - PMC, accessed March 11, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8157593/
14. Phthalate-free : Skin Care - Target, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.target.com/c/skin-care-beauty/phthalate-free/-/N-5xtzjZvzmfw
15. Phthalate Free All Skin Care: Moisturizers, Serums, Cleansers & More | Nordstrom, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/beauty/skincare?filterByIngredientConcern=phthalate-free
16. Phthalate Free Cosmetics - Bluemercury, accessed March 11, 2025, https://bluemercury.com/pages/shop-phthalate-free-cosmetics
17. Non-phthalate cosmetic ingredient for skin care - ChemSec Marketplace, accessed March 11, 2025, https://marketplace.chemsec.org/Alternative/Non-phthalate-cosmetic-ingredient-for-skin-care--333
18. 5 Toxic Skin Care Ingredients and How to Replace Them - Blue Haven Holistics, accessed March 11, 2025, https://www.bluehavenholistics.net/blogs/news/5-toxic-skin-care-ingredients-and-how-to-replace-them