Natural, chemical-free personal care products are now very much on the savvy consumer's radar. This is a growing market that will only get bigger as more and more consumers adopt healthier, greener lifestyles. Natural, phthalate free skin care products are leading the way as women in particular become ever more wary about exactly what they are putting onto their skin.
Phthalates have been used widely in plastic goods since the 1950's, mainly to give otherwise hard, brittle plastics flexibility. They have also come to be used in an array of personal care goods mainly to aid lubrication, spreadability and skin penetration. They are also used to help stabilize fragrances and make them longer-lasting.
The concern about them stems from their action as endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs. EDCs affect the body's endocrine system, which consists of a network of glands that release hormones into the body. These hormones control essential bodily processes such as growth, metabolism and reproduction. EDCs are thought to produce adverse effects in these areas, including infant development, brain function and immunity.
More specifically, phthalates are a type of EDC known as xenoestrogens, compounds that act like the female sex hormone estrogen when they are absorbed or ingested. These compounds have been a concern among scientists for many years, and are associated with a number of serious health problems. These include, but are not limited to, asthma, allergies, certain cancers, obesity and infertility.
Although the harmfulness of phthalates has yet to be conclusively proven, there is certainly enough evidence to raise serious concern. Studies done on animals have shown links between these compounds and birth defects, low birth weight and low sperm count. Human research by Mount Sinai Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit in New York City is investigating a possible link between phthalates and early onset puberty.
At the current time, consumers who wish to avoid harmful compounds in their personal care purchases need to choose wisely. There are certainly a good variety of chemical-free goods now available, but making sure they are what they appear to be is not always straightforward. Some manufacturers are getting on the bandwagon and marketing products that are not as chemical-free as they would have us believe.
They use buzz words like 'organic' or 'paraben-free' but may still contain toxic additives. Determining the presence of phthalates in particular can be difficult since manufacturers aren't required to list them on their labeling. Even if they are not explicitly listed as ingredients, they may still be present in the product's fragrance. To be absolutely sure, you could try contacting the manufacturer or checking out their website for confirmation.
Even if you're pretty sure a product is phthalate-free, they may still be present in the container. The container's chemicals can then leach into and contaminate the product. The most conscientious brands will be aware of this and will make sure that their products are completely non-toxic. Again, to be completely sure you may need to get in touch with the company directly.
Phthalates have been used widely in plastic goods since the 1950's, mainly to give otherwise hard, brittle plastics flexibility. They have also come to be used in an array of personal care goods mainly to aid lubrication, spreadability and skin penetration. They are also used to help stabilize fragrances and make them longer-lasting.
The concern about them stems from their action as endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs. EDCs affect the body's endocrine system, which consists of a network of glands that release hormones into the body. These hormones control essential bodily processes such as growth, metabolism and reproduction. EDCs are thought to produce adverse effects in these areas, including infant development, brain function and immunity.
More specifically, phthalates are a type of EDC known as xenoestrogens, compounds that act like the female sex hormone estrogen when they are absorbed or ingested. These compounds have been a concern among scientists for many years, and are associated with a number of serious health problems. These include, but are not limited to, asthma, allergies, certain cancers, obesity and infertility.
Although the harmfulness of phthalates has yet to be conclusively proven, there is certainly enough evidence to raise serious concern. Studies done on animals have shown links between these compounds and birth defects, low birth weight and low sperm count. Human research by Mount Sinai Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit in New York City is investigating a possible link between phthalates and early onset puberty.
At the current time, consumers who wish to avoid harmful compounds in their personal care purchases need to choose wisely. There are certainly a good variety of chemical-free goods now available, but making sure they are what they appear to be is not always straightforward. Some manufacturers are getting on the bandwagon and marketing products that are not as chemical-free as they would have us believe.
They use buzz words like 'organic' or 'paraben-free' but may still contain toxic additives. Determining the presence of phthalates in particular can be difficult since manufacturers aren't required to list them on their labeling. Even if they are not explicitly listed as ingredients, they may still be present in the product's fragrance. To be absolutely sure, you could try contacting the manufacturer or checking out their website for confirmation.
Even if you're pretty sure a product is phthalate-free, they may still be present in the container. The container's chemicals can then leach into and contaminate the product. The most conscientious brands will be aware of this and will make sure that their products are completely non-toxic. Again, to be completely sure you may need to get in touch with the company directly.
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