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 are chemicals that have been in widespread use since the 1950's, mainly to soften plastics that would otherwise be brittle. They are also used in a variety of personal care goods, primarily to lubricate other chemicals and to help lotions penetrate the skin. In addition, they are used as preservatives to stabilize fragrances and help them last longer.
The main worry about these chemicals concerns their capacity as endocrine disruptors. The body's endocrine system is absolutely vital to the normal functioning of a variety of processes and any interference of it can have serious consequences. EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals) are believed to negatively affect (among other things) infant development, the immune system and brain function.
Specifically, phthalates are what are known as xenoestrogens, a type of compound that when absorbed or ingested mimics the sex hormone estrogen. Scientists have expressed concern over these compounds for many years as research has linked them with a variety of serious health issues. Conditions that are possibly connected with xenoestrogens include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, allergies, asthma, infertility and obesity.
Although there is a lack of absolutely conclusive evidence regarding the harmfulness (or lack thereof) of phthalates, there is certainly enough data to cause concern. Animal studies have linked these compounds to anatomical abnormalities, low sperm count in male offspring and low birth weight. Human research is ongoing and more conclusive data will undoubtedly emerge in years to come.
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.
The packaging of these products may use the buzz words and terminology of natural personal care, but careful reading of the labeling will reveal their true colors. However, in the case of phthalates, determining their presence can be tricky since there is no mandatory labeling requirement. They can also be present in the product's fragrance even when they're not listed as ingredients. To be 100% sure, you may need to check the manufacturers website or contact them directly.
Another complication arises from the fact that a product's container may contain phthalates even if the product itself does not. Since these compounds will over time leach into whatever is in close contact with them, even a supposedly phthalate-free product may be contaminated. A conscientious manufacturer will make sure that their packaging is non-toxic, but again, possibly the only way to be absolutely sure is to contact the company directly.
Phthalates are chemicals that have been in widespread use since the 1950's, mainly to soften plastics that would otherwise be brittle. They are also used in a variety of personal care goods, primarily to lubricate other chemicals and to help lotions penetrate the skin. In addition, they are used as preservatives to stabilize fragrances and help them last longer.
The main worry about these chemicals concerns their capacity as endocrine disruptors. The body's endocrine system is absolutely vital to the normal functioning of a variety of processes and any interference of it can have serious consequences. EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals) are believed to negatively affect (among other things) infant development, the immune system and brain function.
Specifically, phthalates are what are known as xenoestrogens, a type of compound that when absorbed or ingested mimics the sex hormone estrogen. Scientists have expressed concern over these compounds for many years as research has linked them with a variety of serious health issues. Conditions that are possibly connected with xenoestrogens include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, allergies, asthma, infertility and obesity.
Although there is a lack of absolutely conclusive evidence regarding the harmfulness (or lack thereof) of phthalates, there is certainly enough data to cause concern. Animal studies have linked these compounds to anatomical abnormalities, low sperm count in male offspring and low birth weight. Human research is ongoing and more conclusive data will undoubtedly emerge in years to come.
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.
The packaging of these products may use the buzz words and terminology of natural personal care, but careful reading of the labeling will reveal their true colors. However, in the case of phthalates, determining their presence can be tricky since there is no mandatory labeling requirement. They can also be present in the product's fragrance even when they're not listed as ingredients. To be 100% sure, you may need to check the manufacturers website or contact them directly.
Another complication arises from the fact that a product's container may contain phthalates even if the product itself does not. Since these compounds will over time leach into whatever is in close contact with them, even a supposedly phthalate-free product may be contaminated. A conscientious manufacturer will make sure that their packaging is non-toxic, but again, possibly the only way to be absolutely sure is to contact the company directly.
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