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 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.
Phthalates in particular are a variety of EDC known as xenoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen when they are ingested or absorbed. Scientists have voiced concern over these compounds for a number of years as evidence has continued to accumulate highlighting their negative effects. Among the health problems that have been linked to xenoestrogens are allergies, asthma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, obesity and infertility.
Although the evidence against EDCs is not yet absolutely conclusive, numerous studies have produced enough data to raise serious concern among experts. Animal research suggests there is a link between these chemicals and male infertility, anatomical abnormalities and low birth weight. A link between EDCs and the early onset of puberty in humans is being researched by Mount Sinai Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit in New York City.
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.
An additional complication stems from the containers that manufacturers use. These are often made from phthalate-containing plastic even if the product itself is free of them. Over time, phthalates will seep into whatever substance they are in close contact with and contaminate it. Conscientious manufacturers usually use phthalate-free packaging, but again, consumers may need to do some research to be 100% sure that what they're buying really is as non-toxic as it is claimed to be.
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 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.
Phthalates in particular are a variety of EDC known as xenoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen when they are ingested or absorbed. Scientists have voiced concern over these compounds for a number of years as evidence has continued to accumulate highlighting their negative effects. Among the health problems that have been linked to xenoestrogens are allergies, asthma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, obesity and infertility.
Although the evidence against EDCs is not yet absolutely conclusive, numerous studies have produced enough data to raise serious concern among experts. Animal research suggests there is a link between these chemicals and male infertility, anatomical abnormalities and low birth weight. A link between EDCs and the early onset of puberty in humans is being researched by Mount Sinai Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit in New York City.
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.
An additional complication stems from the containers that manufacturers use. These are often made from phthalate-containing plastic even if the product itself is free of them. Over time, phthalates will seep into whatever substance they are in close contact with and contaminate it. Conscientious manufacturers usually use phthalate-free packaging, but again, consumers may need to do some research to be 100% sure that what they're buying really is as non-toxic as it is claimed to be.
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