Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are mainly used as plasticizers, which are substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are also used to make products more durable, such as vinyl flooring, lubricating oils, and personal-care products like soaps, shampoos, and hair sprays. Phthalates are colorless, odorless, oily liquids that do not evaporate easily and do not chemically bind to the material they are added to. They are found in hundreds of products, including plastic packaging, garden hoses, and medical tubing.

Phthalates can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. People are exposed to phthalates by eating and drinking foods that have contacted products containing phthalates, breathing in phthalate particles in the air, and touching products that contain phthalates. Children are at a greater risk of exposure to phthalates because of their hand-to-mouth behavior, and phthalate particles in dust might be a greater risk for children than for adults.

Phthalates have been shown to be endocrine disruptors and are detrimental to human health. They have been linked to a variety of health problems, including reproductive and developmental issues, asthma, and allergies. Phthalates are used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products, such as nail polishes, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, cleansers, and shampoos. The FDA does not have evidence that phthalates as used in cosmetics pose a safety risk, but they continue to evaluate their safety.

To reduce exposure to phthalates, it is recommended to read product labels, choose items labeled “phthalate-free,” and use only “microwave safe” and phthalate-free containers and plastic wrap.