Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are chemical ingredients, sometimes called “plasticizers,” because they are usually used to soften plastic thus make it easier to work with. Phthalates are also used in many cosmetics, including skin products, hair products, and some well-known fragrances.
Note: Don’t worry all of South Beach Skin Lab products are Phthalate free including our popular Repair and Release Cream.
More recently, some brands have taken a stand against this scary, harmful ingredient however the FDA still refuses to admit that phthalates can cause harm to the body.
Why Are They Used?
So why would anyone want to formulate a product with such a harmful chemical? For starter, they are a cheap way to increase the shelf life of a product and keep it fresh.
They are also used because they help products attach better to a surface. Phthalates in body lotions or skin care creams allow the lotion to cling better to the skin, and in hair products, it allows the product to cling better to the hair.
How Are They Harmful?
You might assume that if the FDA allows phthalates in products, it can’t be that bad for you right? WRONG! Very few skin care ingredients are reviewed for safety which makes caring for your skin even more difficult.
Phthalates are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs. EDC’s can be very dangerous because when they are absorbed by your body through your pores, they act as forms of estrogen and interfere with your metabolism and your normal hormone function. They can be especially harmful if you are pregnant.
How Can You Avoid Them?
Now that you know more about phthalates, we hope the first step you take the avoiding them is reading the labels of all the personal care products you use. Removing these products from your daily use will decrease your risk of absorbing EDC’s.
Thankfully in recent years, customers like you have become more aware of the dangerous ingredients and have pushed the cosmetic industry to raise their standards. Now, you can find brands that are completely free of phthalates, like our entire like of South Beach Skin Lab products. It may cost more to manufacture products with safer and better quality ingredients, but we think integrity in products is something that should never be compromised!
