• What Are Phthalates?
• Why Are Phthalates Bad for You? 
• How To Avoid Phthalates?
• Frequently Asked Questions on Phthalates in Skincare

If you want to know how to maintain healthy skin, you need to carefully look at the ingredients you expose our skin to. While many brands and products have taken the oath to turn clean and rely on all natural ingredients, there are still many beauty products that contain harsh chemicals. These toxins help the products look, smell, and feel a certain way to give you results you have been looking for. But using these products comes  at a cost, and our skin’s health is affected in the bargain. While not all chemicals are harmful, there are some you should definitely  stay away from and one such ingredient is phthalates. 

If you are a conscious skincare user, it is important to read the labels and steer clear from products that contain phthalates. Read on to find out what are phthalates, its disadvantages, and how to make a switch to cleaner beauty.

What Are Phthalates?

Before you go dumping all the skincare products from your cabinet, you should know what are phthalates  and the way it harms us in the long run and how to maintain healthy skin without using it at all. 

Phthalates is a term used to describe the number of chemicals that are often used as preservatives. While you may find phthalates in most everyday products, it is commonly used in  skincare and beauty products and in pharmaceuticals too. 

Phthalates are added into your products to increase its longevity and it is not uncommon to find them in almost every product from food packaging to laundry detergents. That is why the concern is alarming. Often an important ingredient in hair spray, nail polish, shampoos, and body lotion, these phthalates might benefit the companies but they have a negative impact on consumers. 

Why Are Phthalates Bad for You? 

Considering how they are found in our everyday essentials, the question here is - are phthalates harmful? Yes, they are extremely harmful. Phthalates are a  type of ‘endocrine disruptor’, which can potentially disrupt the normal functioning of the hormonal system and create an imbalance. That is why it is recommended to use a phthalate-free face wash for healthy skin. 

Harmful effects of phthalates on skin: 

• Development challenges
• Decreased thyroid function
• Negative effects on reproductive systems
• Negative effects on the neurological systems
• Compromising of the immune system
• Increased chances of asthma in children
• Increased chances of eczema in children
• Neurotoxicity
• Male reproductive issues

Too much exposure to phthalate on an everyday basis can totally bring in negative effects on your health and no beauty care product should do that to you.

How To Avoid Phthalates?

Now that we know the negative effects of phthalates, it is now time to avoid them in your everyday skincare routine and switch to chemical- free face wash for healthy skin. So how to maintain healthy skin while eliminating phthalates? We have listed a few simple things you can do to avoid phthalates and what to do as a conscious healthy face wash buyer.  

Say no to fragrances:

Of course you  should read your labels before buying a product (and we’re hoping you’re doing that), but most labels do not name the ingredients for what it is. So when looking out for phthalates, do try to find perfumes or fragrances on the label. This often indicates the presence of phthalates.Check out our blog on the harmful ingredients in skin care to get a list of all the ingredients that you must avoid in your skin care products.

Say yes to organic products: 

Apart from cosmetics or beauty products, phthalates are also used in pesticides sprayed in conventional agriculture. When you consume organically grown products, you are sure to stay away from phthalates.To learn more about the the benefits of organic skin care products, head over to our blog on why organic skin care products are better than regular products.

Learn the codes: 

You should be aware that products with recycling codes such as 3 or 7 may contain either BPA or phthalates. Instead, choose phthalate-free products with a recycling code of 1, 2 or 5.

While you want to avoid anything that says phthalates, there are some abbreviations you would need to know to identify them as phthalates. 

• BBP (Butyl Benzyl Phthalate)
• DBP (Di-n-butyl Phthalate)
• DEP (Diethyl Phthalate)
• DiDP (Di-isodecyl phthalate)
• DnHP (Di-n-Hexyl Phthalate)

Now that you know the negatives of using phthalate infused products, it is time to make a switch to cleaner and safer products and healthy face wash with no harsh chemicals. Start shopping cautiously by eliminating phthalates, artificial fragrances, and even silicones, parabens, etc. 

The good news is there are brands that are being more cautious to what they add in their products and are creating truly effective formulations without adding any artificial and harmful chemicals. 

If you are looking for a natural face care product to start your day off, you can opt for Coco Soul’s Revitalizing Face Wash. 

Crafted with ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, this revitalising and healthy face wash is filled with the goodness of virgin king coconut oil, neem, and gotu kola. If you are looking for a phthalate- free face wash that cleanses your skin effectively and doesn’t dry out your skin, use this face wash by Coco Soul for a fresh start in the morning. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Phthalates in Skincare

1. Why should I use phthalate free face wash?
   

   Natural face wash that is clear from any skin irritants is great for skin health as it does no harm and keeps your face glowing and healthy. 
   
   

2. Are phthalates in face wash harmful for skin? 
   

   Yes! Phthalates are a form of harsh industrial chemicals and they should be avoided at all cost. 
   
   

3. Why are phthalates used in face washes? 
   

   Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastic more flexible and harder to break. These are used in face wash to create more longevity and let the product last longer.