Phthalates: Our Hidden Enemy

If you’ve ever flipped over a skincare label and seen the word “fragrance,” there’s a near guarantee you’ve also found phthalates (pronounced THAL-ayts)—whether they’re listed or not.

Most people have never even heard of them, but they’re everywhere.

And once you understand what they are and what they do, it’s hard to ignore.

Phthalates are a “group of synthetic chemicals, specifically salts or esthers of phthalic acid, designed primarily to make plastics, particularly PVC, soft, flexible and durable. They are often called "plasticizers" and are used as solvents, stabilizers, and to enhance product longevity in plastics, personal care items, and various consumer goods.” (canada.ca)

Sounds harmless (?)—until you realize they don’t stay contained in the product. They leach into the air, absorb through your skin, and build up in your body over time. In fact, they’re not strongly bound to the materials they’re used in, which is why they can easily migrate into air, water, and even food.

This is where it gets more serious.

Phthalates are known and proven endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with your hormones. And your hormones control everything—your mood, metabolism, fertility, sleep, development. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has stated that phthalates can lead to “hormone deficiencies and endocrine disruption” at certain exposure levels . There’s also growing scientific evidence linking phthalate exposure—especially during pregnancy—to changes in hormone levels and developmental outcomes in children .

Health impacts can include reduced sperm count, estrogen imbalance, birth defects, asthma, behavioral difficulties, obesity, and diabetes.

Let that sink in.

These are chemicals that can interfere with human development before a child is even born.

And here’s the part that really gets me: they’re not necessary!!

There are safer ways to scent products. There are better ingredients available. So why are companies still using them? Cost. Convenience. Industry habits that haven’t caught up with what we now know. None of that is a good enough reason to keep putting something questionable on your skin every single day.

At Skin Potion Naturals, I made a very intentional decision to avoid phthalates in all my products. If an ingredient doesn’t actively support your skin and your health, it doesn’t belong in the formula. Period.

Choosing phthalate-free products isn’t just about you, either.

These chemicals don’t disappear when they go down the drain. The EPA has also identified risks to aquatic life from phthalates entering waterways . That means what we use on our bodies ends up affecting the environment, animals, and the entire ecosystem.

Dermatologists are starting to speak more openly about this too. Many advise caution around fragranced products specifically because of hidden chemicals like phthalates. As commonly noted in dermatology guidance, “fragrance is a common cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions,” which is why sensitive-skin recommendations often include avoiding it altogether.

The truth is, most people just don’t know. We’ve been conditioned to trust that if something is on a shelf, it’s safe. But the reality is, the burden is often on us to self-educate, read labels, ask questions, and choose better.

Fact: If you look at a label and see “parfum”, “fragrance” but it doesn’t specifically say “phthalate-free”, it’s highly likely you’ve got a product containing phthalates in your hand.

I was listing parfum in mine without making this distinction, so if you rush off to check one of our labels and it doesn’t specify- rest assured I’ve been using phthalate free for years- I just haven’t been making the distinction. My intention these days is to create awareness around this ingredient and help educate people towards healthier, more inentional choices!

Once you start paying attention, you can’t unsee it.

And when you know better, you get to do better—for your body, your kids, your animals, and the planet.