THE TRUTH ABOUT PHTHALATES
Phthalates, petroleum-based chemicals, are found in a variety of products used every day. But what are these chemicals doing to you? A groundbreaking new study has shown that phthalates can cause early menopause, leading to some women experiencing menopause up to 15 years earlier. Unfortunately, getting your first hot flashes in your late thirties isn't the only health risk associated with phthalates. Join ViTA to learn more about these chemicals and what you can do to avoid them…
WHAT ARE PHTHALATES?
Phthalates are so-called “plasticizers”, substances that are added to plastics to soften them and increase their durability. Today, it is virtually impossible to avoid these chemicals, and they are found in a number of everyday products including food packaging, pharmaceuticals, plastic toys, paint, and floor tiles – the list is endless. Phthalates also have the ability to make fragrances linger and function as lubricants, which is why they can be found in numerous beauty and personal care products ranging from body lotions and perfumes to hair sprays and deodorants. Like most chemicals at one time or another, phthalates used to be thought of as harmless. However, today research is showing that these chemicals are increasingly turning up in our body, where they might be doing more harm than ever imagined.
HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PHTHALATES
Known endocrine disrupters and hormone-mimicking chemicals, phthalates can disrupt normal hormonal processes and lead to serious health risks, including:
- - Breast cancer & testicular cancer
- - Reproductive and developmental toxicity
- - Early menopause
- - Decreased sperm levels
- - Metabolic disorders
- - Neurological and behavioral difficulties
- - Obesity and diabetic risk
- - Asthma
- - Low IQ
- - Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
- - Autism spectrum disorders
Numerous studies suggest companies should be careful when using phthalates in their products, even more so when these products are used by pregnant women or young children, who are most vulnerable to the effects of phthalates. So far, the FDA has chosen not to take regulatory action against the use of phthalates in cosmetics, despite the European Union already banning two of the most common phthalates used in cosmetics (dibutyl and diethylhexyl).
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO PHTHALATES
While eliminating all phthalate exposure may be close to impossible, there are a few ways to reduce your contact with the chemical:
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SAY NO TO SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES. Whenever you spot "fragrance" or "perfume" on your ingredients lists, this might indicate phthalates. Since fragrances are considered proprietary information, their ingredients are not required to be specifically listed on labels. Instead, try finding products with the claims "no synthetic fragrance" AND "phthalate-free" like ViTA's hair care duo. You'll be surprised how much better your hair will smell without all the chemicals!
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AVOID PRODUCTS PACKAGED IN RECYCLING CODES 3 AND 7. These plastic products likely contain phthalates, so try looking for recycling codes 1, 2 or 5 instead.
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CHECK EWG’s SKINDEEP DATABASE. This renowned website has ratings of more than 14,000 personal care products and allows you to look at different brands’ products to make sure they are free of potentially harmful chemicals.
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SPEAK UP. Take matters into your own hands, use your voice and let companies know that you want to avoid harmful ingredients. You have the power to make a difference in redefining the beauty industry and making companies rethink their use of toxic chemicals and switch to healthier, natural solutions.
While more research is likely needed to truly understand all health concerns related to phthalates, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry and avoid products using harmful chemicals altogether. When choosing a cosmetic product, natural really does matter. There are alternatives, however, beware that just because an ingredient isn’t listed on the label, that doesn’t mean it isn't in your product. ViTA believes that companies should always strive to create the safest products possible and be transparent with their formulations, and not mislead consumers with toxins being acceptable. That’s why ViTA’s products are certified toxin-free by the EWG, ensuring transparency, while protecting your health and the environment.