Phthalates and Parabens. Two P-words Worth Avoiding

You’ve seen the claims mentioned somewhere before - NO PHTHALATES! NO PARABENS! But if you are like most people, you’ve probably wondered what they are and haven’t gotten around to looking into it. Until now, that is. Let’s take a quick dive into the basics of Phthalates and Parabens and find out if they really are worth the effort to avoid in your products, like skincare and candles. 

WHAT ARE PHTHALATES

Phthalates (tha-laytes), also known as plasticizers, are a synthetic chemical used to make plastic materials more flexible and durable. They are also commonly used as solvents in cosmetics, fragrances and other personal care. In other words, they help various ingredients in these products blend together uniformly and to improve the consistency of their texture. 

ARE PHTHALATES HARMFUL?

Phthalates are well-known to be endocrine disruptors. This means they can interfere with your hormone production and function. Studies have linked exposure to Phthalates to various health issues, including potential impacts on reproductive health, child development, and increased risks of certain diseases. 

In fact, the State of California currently includes 6 Phthalates on its PROP 65 list that requires products containing  these chemicals  to bear a warning label when sold in the State. They specifically list six phthalates known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. They include butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP). Well beyond California, many countries also have current bans or restrictions on certain phthalates. 

If you are not using products that are labeled phthalate-free, you may want to at least see if they contain any of the specific phthalates listed above. 

WHY TO AVOID PHTHALATES IN SKINCARE AND CANDLES

It makes sense why phthalates should be avoided in your skincare routine. Your skin absorbs what you put on it. These synthetic chemicals that are known to cause health concerns are getting into your body, perhaps daily.  But what about candles? Many candles use fragrances that utilize phthalates for added stability and to help the scent last longer. Where the problem is with phthalates in candles is that they release toxins when burned. These toxins can cause respiratory issues, hormone disruption, and other health problems. Yikes! 

WHAT ABOUT PARABENS

Like Phthalates, Parabens are also a group of synthetic chemicals. Parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetics, shampoos, and other products, even food. They work to prevent the growth of bacteria or mold, and help extend shelf life. Pretty important for ensuring product safety. But are the Parabens themselves even safe for you? 

ARE PARABENS HARMFUL

While Parabens are generally considered safe by the FDA when used within certain concentration levels, they are known to cause allergic reactions, such as skin irritation, for people with sensitive skin. So if you are like me and have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid products containing Parabens to see if it makes a difference. 

But studies have also linked Parabens to other health concerns worth mentioning here. Like Phthalates, Parabens are endocrine disruptors. They disrupt hormones in the body and potentially affect fertility and reproductive organs, birth outcomes, and even increase the risk of cancer. Yikes, again!

HOW TO AVOID PARABENS

In acknowledgement of these health concerns, and despite the FDAs consideration of Parabens being generally safe, several types of Parabens are on California's PROP 65 list. The list currently includes butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, methyl paraben, and propyl paraben. These Parabens are widely used as preservatives in various cosmetics, so be sure to check ingredient labels or only purchase products labeled ‘Paraben Free’ if you wish to avoid them.

ARE PARABEN IN CANDLES A CONCERN

While the risks of allergic reactions and other health concerns are present when ingesting Parabens or using them on your skin, there has not been any links to toxins produced by Parabens when burning candles. But just in case, we’ve made sure all of our candles are Paraben Free, as well as not containing any chemical additives that are on the California Proposition 65 list. 

 

A FINAL THOUGHT

There are amazing and highly effective natural ingredient alternatives out there that can be used to substitute synthetic chemicals that are toxic to our health. So why don’t more brands use them? I think you can figure out why (hint: $$$). Well, we decided years ago to make it our mission to provide high-quality natural product alternatives under the Mightily Made brand to help everyone, including our family, take that step towards incorporating safer products in their day-to-day lifestyle. It’s easier than you think to make the switch. Cheers!