Parabens and Phthalates: What You Need to Know

skin care product

Getting Educated

When choosing skincare products, we often look to label claims, such as “all-natural,” “cruelty-free,” and “botanical,” to help us determine if a product is safe and responsibly made. Unfortunately, behind these buzzy labels are often products filled with parabens and phthalates. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals can mimic hormones in our body, interfere with normal hormonal processes, and raise our risk for breast cancer, fertility issues, and metabolic disorders. Parabens, in particular, have been found in human breast cancer tissues, suggesting a possible association between parabens in cosmetics and cancer. (1)

Although studies prove these chemicals are hazardous to human health, the FDA has no legal authority to approve cosmetic products and ingredients before they go on the market. (2) As a result, personal care product companies are not required to register with the FDA, provide ingredient statements, adopt Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), or report adverse effects to the FDA. (3)

Where Does that Leave us?

It is up to consumers to protect themselves and make educated decisions about what to put on their bodies. Doing so is as complicated as it sounds, as these harmful chemicals go by many different names, and when it comes to fragrance, there are no ingredient names at all, as “fragrance” and “fragrance mixtures” are considered “trade secrets.”

Parabens and Phtalates: A Primer

Parabens: Where to Find Them and What to Look for on a Label:

Parabens are a family of related chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care items, including makeup, moisturizers, hair care products, shaving products, and deodorants to prevent bacterial contamination and mold. Five different parabens have been completely banned in the EU (isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben, and pentylparaben), while others are strictly regulated because they are believed to be endocrine disruptors. Although there is mounting pressure from consumers and health watch groups to remove them from beauty products in the US, the FDA does not regulate their use in these categories.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an organization that assesses the safety of individual chemical compounds used in cosmetic products, recommends limiting total paraben concentrations in a single product to 0.8% and a single application to 0.4%. Unfortunately, this guideline does not consider exposure to parabens from several products by a single user.[4] Moreover, this limit is a recommendation, not a requirement, and does not inform product formulation.

Parabens are Commonly Found in:

  1. Makeup

  2. Moisturizers

  3. Shaving products

  4. Shampoos

  5. Conditioners

  6. Facial and shower cleansers and scrubs

  7. Deodorants

How to Recognize them on the Label:

  1. Look for “paraben-free" products. If you can’t find that, look for:

  2. Methylparaben

  3. Propylparaben

  4. Butylparaben

  5. Ethylparaben

  6. Isobutylparaben

  7. Isopropylparaben



Phthalates: WHERE TO find them and what to look for on a label:

Phthalates are a family of chemicals that act as plasticizers, solvents, and stabilizers in cosmetics and fragrance production. Many personal care products use phthalates to homogenize products by dissolving solid ingredients. Phthalates are commonly found in nail polish, hair spray, fragrance, aftershave lotions, cleansers, moisturizers, face masks, shampoos, and conditioners. Like parabens, these chemicals are linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, metabolic disorders, and breast cancer. Although they are banned from cosmetics in the European Union, they are commonly used in the US.

Phthalates are Commonly Found in:

clean beuaty products

  • Color cosmetics (foundation, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, blush)

  • Lotions

  • Perfume

  • Fragrance

  • Scented candles

  • Body washes

  • Hair care products

  • Nail polish

  • Hairspray

  • Cleansers

  • Hair Products

  • Face Masks

How to recognize them on the Label:

  • Phthalate

  • DEP

  • DBP

  • DEHP

  • FRAGRANCE: Phthalates are frequently used to make fragrances, but any ingredients used in fragrance or fragrance mixtures are considered trade secrets and exempt from ingredient listing. The entire mixture simply appears as “fragrance” on the ingredient panel. If you see the word “fragrance,” chances are the product is filled with phthalates and other toxic ingredients.

Below are reliable resources and online sites to help you find clean products.

Resources for Cleaner Beauty Products.

EWG Skin Deep is an online database of over 75,000 products and 2,242 brands that provides information to check the safety and ingredient list of the product you’re using or purchasing.

Think Dirty-Shop Clean is an app that puts clean beauty at your fingertips: scan the product barcode to get product information, a list of dirty ingredients and suggestions for cleaner options.

Trusted sites for clean beauty:

Credo
Goop
Clean at Sephora
Beauty Counter

Up-level Your Morning Oats

upleveled morning oats

As the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, many of us crave a warm, satisfying breakfast to start our day, and nothing gives off cozy vibes more than a nourishing bowl of homemade oatmeal. Oats are high in soluble fiber and an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, copper, thiamine, and zinc. Like many foods however, oats have recently come under fire on social media for being nothing more than a bowl of sugar. Before you run to your pantry and throw out your oatmeal, it’s important to know that not all oats are created equal. When prepared correctly, oatmeal makes for a wonderful, heart and waistline-healthy breakfast choice.

Choose Your Oats Wisely

When shopping for oats, steer clear of quick and microwavable oats, which are often loaded with sugar and stripped of bran and healthy fiber and will definitely spike your blood sugar, setting you up for over-eating later in the day. Instead, choose Steel-cut oats (the least processed type) or thick-rolled oats. Yes, they take a little longer to prepare, but your body will thank you for the added effort.

Include Protein & Fats

Add protein and healthy fats to your morning oats to create a healthy, satisfying breakfast. Protein is the most satisfying macro-nutrient, meaning it will help you feel full and stay full for hours. It is critical for muscle, skin, and bone health and should be part of any healthy meal. Healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, are vital for energy and hormone production, vitamin absorption, and maintaining the membrane integrity of every cell in our body. When paired with protein and carbs, it protects against blood-sugar spikes and cravings. Like protein, a serving of healthy fat is an important component of any meal.

Simple Ways To Up-level Your Morning Oats

1. Make it savory by topping your oats with 2 soft-boiled eggs, ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, and a drizzle of olive oil. Add crunchy sea salt and lots of black pepper. I like it with hot sauce for a little kick.

2. Serve with 3/4 cup of full-fat Greek yogurt. Top with ½ chopped apple and ¼ cup nuts of choice.

3. Stir in a serving of flavored or unflavored protein powder + 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter + ⅓ a banana with a dash of cinnamon.

4. Stir in a serving of flavored or unflavored Collagen peptides + ½ cup berries + ¼ cup walnuts.

5. Cook with unsweetened soymilk, which has 12 grams of plant-based protein per serving. Top with 3 tablespoons of Hemp hearts and 1-2 tablespoons of sunflower butter + tahini + blueberries + cinnamon for a whole-food, vegan option.