Phthalates
The skin is the biggest organ in the human body. That is why it is SO important to know what is being put onto your skin. Especially because what is put onto your skin will be absorbed in your body and can impact your health in a MAJOR way. I think we all would prefer to avoid using toxic beauty products that negatively impact my health. That’s why Clean Beauty by Joy is committed to informing you on the various toxins that live on in the beauty industry. Today’s featured toxic chemical is called Phthalate.
Definition of Phthalates
According to saferchemicals.org’s official website, “Ortho-phthalates, commonly referred to as phthalates (pronounced THAL-eights), are a group of chemicals that are used to make plastics, primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl), flexible. The chemicals also serve other purposes, including as solvents in fragrances for personal care products.”
To find out if a product contains Phthalates, look for these ingredient labels: phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP and fragrance. Sometimes it can be hard to know if Phthalates are in a product you’re using because sometimes they are hidden in the fragrance used for a product. I recommend avoiding products that say “fragrance” altogether because that can include many different toxic ingredients that the company is not obligated to disclose. The toxic chemical can be found in makeup, many types of nail polish, skincare, plastic water bottles, and more.
Health Concerns
A study found in Environmental Pollution, a peer-reviewed journal, found that exposure to Phthalates could be linked to early deaths. The study says that in the United States, exposure to Phthalates may contribute to 91,000 to 107,000 premature deaths a year among people ages 55 to 64. They also found that a lot of these deaths are specifically linked to heart problems which could be caused by Phthalate exposure. In other words, the risk of exposure to Phthalates could include early death-something I’d prefer to avoid.
In addition to being associated with premature death, there are a few other health concerns that come with Phthalate exposure. One of the health issues is endocrine disruption. Phthalates are known to mimic hormones and impact the hormonal system, which can be linked to causing breast cancer in females and reduced testosterone in males. In addition, Phthalates are connected to asthma, fertility issues, ADHD, behavioral issues and more. What’s even more troubling is that Phthalates are still everywhere in the United States.
How to avoid Phthalates
While I can’t promise you’ll avoid them altogether, exposure can at least be limited in your home.
- Avoid cosmetic and beauty products that contain Phthalates. I recommend avoiding any products that have “fragrance” as an ingredient. This is because “fragrance” is considered to be a secret ingredient. This allows the company to refrain from disclosing which chemicals are included under the label “fragrance.” In addition, avoid products with the labels: phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP. Look for nontoxic beauty products and nail polishes that you can trust to avoid formulas containing all toxins including Phthalates. Clean Beauty by Joy’s makeup is toxin-free, cruelty-free and contains organic, skin-loving ingredients.
- Swap out your plastic water bottles for glass bottles. Plastic water bottles are notorious for containing BPAs and Phthalates that disrupt your endocrine system and cause so many other health issues.
- Be mindful of what you’re eating. I opt for whole foods as much as possible because when foods are more processed, they are more likely to contain toxins.
- Carefully buy your kids’ toys. There are some toys that can contain phthalates since it is present in certain plastics. This can cause early behavioral issues in kids and ADHD.
Clean Beauty by Joy’s Response
Clean Beauty by Joy avoids using Phthalates in our makeup products. This is because of the risk linked to their use and our commitment to clean beauty without compromise. We believe our products should avoid toxic chemicals and we promote a toxin-free lifestyle. Instead, our beauty products include cruelty-free, organic ingredients.
Phthalates are often found in nail polish to help evenly disperse the colors. Instead, use Clean Beauty by Joy’s mineral sparkles and mix it with a phthalate-free clear coat polish to ensure your nail color is toxin-free and made of organic ingredients.
We are in this mission to eliminate toxin-exposure together! This journey can be so overwhelming sometimes as you find out just how many toxins are everywhere. Here is my rule of thumb when it comes to toxic chemicals: control what you can and let go of what you can’t.
To shop our toxin-free, Phthalate-free beauty products, follow these links:
Pro Prep Face Primer (80% organic ingredients): https://cleanbeautybyjoy.com/products/flawless-face-primer
Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation (90% organic ingredients): https://cleanbeautybyjoy.com/products/liquid-foundation
Phthalate-Free Luxe ‘N Lavish Lipstick: https://cleanbeautybyjoy.com/products/long-wear-lipstick
Mineral Sparkles Eye Collection:
https://cleanbeautybyjoy.com/collections/eyes/products/holiday-sparkles-eye-collection
Sources:
https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/phthalates/
https://saferchemicals.org/get-the-facts/toxic-chemicals/phthalates/
https://www.suggest.com/what-is-phthalates-common-beauty-additive/2599133/
