Good Home Co.

At the Good Home Company we do not use phthalates of any kind in our ingredients or fragrances.  But we have checked with all of our suppliers and made it clear that we will not use ANY raw materials or ingredients or perfumes with phthalates and have signed documentation on file from them agreeing to this.  Our Laundry Fragrance, Hand Lotion, Sheet and Clothing Spray – all of our products have been checked and are phthalate-free and will remain so.  However I wanted to write this article to share with you how abundant phthalates are in almost everything we use and how as a consumer you need to demand that your products are phthalate-free. 

DO MY BEAUTY PRODUCTS CONTAIN PHTHALATES? 

Unfortunately the answer is most likely yes, but what does that mean? 

First let’s take a look at what phthalates are.  Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid.  This is a chemical that is added to a truly frighteningly amount of products to increase longevity, transparency and durability. If it is a soft, flexible plastic – chances are it contains phthalates.  In cosmetics, phthalates are used as a diluter – to turn an ounce of perfume into 3 ounces and it is commonly used in skin care products as it leaves behind a soft silky film that makes you feel more “moisturized”. 

About 2 years ago there was a huge push made to ban phthalates and have them removed from all children’s products, such as plastic baby bottles.  Today if you walk into any baby store you will see the labels touting phthalate-free, BPA free and this is what you should buy.  Previously unregulated, phthalates were found in everything from teethers to actual oral medications. 

WHY ARE PHTHALATES HARMFUL? 

Phthalates have been linked to many neurological and metabolic issues.  It has been linked with autism, low birth weight, asthma and endocrine disruption.  For a very comprehensive look at phthalates go to Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate 

In 2008 George Bush banned the use of phthalates in children’s toys and products.  Per wikopedia:

United States

In August 2008, the United States Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which became public law 110-314. Section 108 of that law specified that as of 10 February 2009, “it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the United States any children’s toy or child care article that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of” DEHP, DBP, or BBP and “it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the United States any children’s toy that can be placed in a child’s mouth or child care article that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of” DINP, DIDP, DnOP. Furthermore, the law requires the establishment of a permanent review board to determine the safety of other phthalates. Prior to this legislation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission had determined that voluntary withdrawals of DEHP and DINP from teethers, pacifiers, and rattles had eliminated the risk to children, and advised against enacting a phthalate ban.  Some phthalates were restricted in children’s toys sold in California starting in 2009. 

This is huge step in the right direction, however phthalates are still freely used in many adult products – including expensive facial creams, perfumes and water bottles – items that you put on your skin or ingest.  

WHAT CAN YOU DO? 

On cosmetics, look on the label for phthalate-free.  If it does not say phthalate-free, call up the 800 number and ask.  Phthalates are also called plasticizers and are listed in cosmetics as “dibutyl phthalate” or as “butyl ester”.  When looking at plastic containers – most products with a “3” are made with phthalates as they are PVC – avoid them. 

Do not assume that if it is natural it is phthalate-free.  Many manufacturers do not even know if their perfumes/fragrances contain phthalates.  Phthalates are hidden in many “raw” ingredients – so the brand would have to be diligent and check. 

Stay informed and make the extra effort to call a manufacturer or brand and ask them about their stance on phthalates.  They may not realize how harmful it is – but just like animal testing – policies will change at the demand of a consumer.  You keep brands in business and no matter how large a brand may be, if enough voices are heard, policies can be changed!