Phthalates. Do you know what they are? Neither did I. But they are all around us, and in us, and they are really bad for our health. They are used to make plastics more flexible, to make adhesives, packaging, medical devices, paint, ink and more. Women, listen up. Phthalates are used in most of our makeup and perfume. They are used to hold color and scents. Phthalates have been scientifically proven to disrupt our hormonal systems. These "endocrine disruptors" have been linked to poor sperm quality, infertility, birth defects, and miscarriages. There is also evidence linking phthalates to breast cancer. You won't find phthalates on any labels. You also won't find phthalates used in products sold in Europe; they have been outlawed because of the health risks. Unfortunately, they are still widely used here. Although limited, you can buy phthalate-free makeup, but you have to do your research. There are websites that list phthalate-free manufacturers or you can call your brand and ask if their products contain phthalates. Personally, I took my 15-year-old daughter shopping and we both replaced all of our makeup and skin care products with phthalate-free products, and we look as beautiful as ever.
