Personal Care Products: Watch Those Phthalates!

by Patricia S. Lemer, MEd, NCC

Phthalates?

Yes, another family of toxic chemicals, pronounced, THAY-lates. Phthalates are plasticizers used to add texture and luster to hair spray, deodorant, nail polish, lipstick, perfumes and many other products. These ubiquitous chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as fumes, and ingested if children mouth toys made out of plastic.

Hundreds of studies have shown that phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system. In pregnant women, phthalates pass through the placenta to be absorbed by the fetus. Later, they show up in the breast milk of nursing mothers, whose babies ingest them. In male fetuses and infants, phthalates can cause testicular atrophy, leading to a reduced sperm count.

As we learn more about the role of toxins in disease and developmental delays, reducing our toxic load must be a priority. Discover what toxins are lurking in the most commonly used baby products, cosmetics, deodorants, dental, eye, nail and skin care products, fragrances, and other personal care products, and switch to less toxic alternatives. Visit the Virtual Drugstore of the Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org/issues/cosmetics/ virtualdrugstore.php and prepare to be shocked at what is in your shopping cart!

We are grateful to the Environmental Working Group and to www.nottoopretty.com for the following information:

Phthalate-free Products from Popular Manufacturers

• Deodorants: Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant Roll-On, Dove Powder Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, Lady Speed Stick Soft Solid Anti-Perspirant, Secret Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, Platinum Protection Ambition Scent, Soft & Dri Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Clear Gel
• Hair gel & mousses: Finesse Touchables Silk Protein Enriched Mousse, Helene Curtis Thermasilk Heat Activated Mousse for Fine/Thin Hair, L’Oreal Paris Studio Line: Springing Curls Mousse
• Hair sprays: Helene Curtis Finesse Touchables Silk Protein Enriched, Helene Curtis Thermasilk Heat Activated Firm Hairspray, Suave Naturals Aloe Vera Extra Hold Hairspray
• Hand and body lotions: Curel Soothing Hands Moisturizing Hand Lotion, Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Original Moisturizing Lotion, Lubriderm Skin Therapy Moisturizing Lotion, Neutrogena Hand Cream, Suave Naturals Sun Ripened Moisturizing Body Lotion, Vaseline Intensive Care Dry Skin and Advanced Healing Lotion
• Nail Polish: Kiss Colors Nail Polish, L’Oreal Jet Set Nail Enamel and Quick Dry Nail Enamel, Maybelline Shades of Your Nail Color, Revlon Nail Enamel and Super Top Speed.

Remember, phthalates are just part of the story. Some of the above products contain other toxins, such as aluminum. To be extra careful, try these excellent brands:

• Aubrey Organics: baby soap, shampoo and lotion; hair coloring, shampoo and conditioner; shower gel; lip color, blush and foundation; bath salts, massage oil, bar and liquid soaps; sun screen; deodorant.
• Desert Essence: baby lotion, shampoo, bubble bath; body wash/cleanser, facial soap, toothpaste, dental floss, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, bar soaps.
• Dr. Bronner’s: body wash/cleanser, baby soap, body oil, toothpaste, lip balm, liquid and bar soaps and shaving cream.
• Pangea Organics: bar soaps, hand and body lotions, facial creams, shower gels, liquid soaps.
• Terressentials: baby soap and lotion, body oil, wash and cleanser; hand and body lotions; facial creams, lip protector, deodorant, liquid and bar soaps; shampoo.

More measures to reduce your toxic load:

• Use fewer products less often. Cut down the number of chemicals contacting your skin every day either by totally eliminating use of non-essential products or using them less often.
• Read labels. Claims like "organic," "natural," "hypoallergenic," "animal cruelty free," and "fragrance free" are poorly defined by law. Only by carefully reading ingredient labels can you discover which claims are true.
• Use mild soaps to reduce need for moisturizers. Less harsh soaps can remove dirt and grease from the surface of your skin without taking away the body’s natural oils. Let your skin do some of the work naturally.Minimize use of hair dye. Avoid dyes that contain coal tar ingredients, as that have been linked to cancer in some studies.
• Cut down on use of powders. Avoid using baby powder with newborns and infants. A number of ingredients have been linked to cancer and other lung problems, when they are inhaled.
• Choose products that are fragrance free. Fragrances can cause allergic reactions, and mask odors of some other ingredients.
• Avoid or reduce use of nail polish. Paint toenails; skip the fingernails. Polish routinely contains ingredients linked to birth defects. Paint nails in a well- ventilated room, or outside, or avoid using nail polish altogether, particularly when you are pregnant.

Join the Safe Cosmetics Campaign. As of October 2005, over 200 companies had signed the "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to remove chemicals linked to cancer, mutation, or birth defects, and to develop comprehensive chemical substitution plans that lead to safer formulations. Work directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients.

[Initially published in New Developments: Volume 11, Number 1 - Fall, 2005]