Revealed: the secret truth about the beauty industry (part I)

Synthetic scents


You are exposed to lots of hazardous materials day by day but there’s plenty you can do to reduce the amount of toxins in your life.

Synthetic scents in cosmetics may consist of more than 200 ingredients. We don’t even know exactly what synthetic scents a certain product contains when the label only says ‘perfume’ or ‘fragrance’.

I’m sure you know what it’s like when you are gasping for some fresh air after visiting a perfume store. Just imagine your skin being stifled by all the chemicals it has to absorb! And it’s not only about quality but also about quantity.

Phthalates are common ingredients in toiletries and cosmetics. They can be found in the products of several leading cosmetics brands. They are mostly used as chemical stabilisers, i.e. to lock in scents.

Just imagine how many different scents you use day in, day out: shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, makeups, body lotions, (skin-, body-, hand- and foot creams) perfume... and don’t forget the clothes washed and rinsed with chemicals. If you don’t use rubber gloves for the washing up then add the washing up liquid to the list – as almost all commercial products contain scents. Then continue with home detergents and air fresheners. Although you don’t put them on your skin, you still inhale them – and that’s no better, in fact, hazardous chemicals can do even more damage that way.

These chemicals weaken the immune system and can cause one or more of the following symptoms:
It may have crossed your mind that a sudden headache could not only be down to the latest warm weather front...

You might have to face the long-term health effects even if you don’t realise the above risks. And it’s not just about You. By using those products you expose to those dangers everyone around you – e.g. kids and pets who may inhale the chemicals or ingest them with their food.

Phthalates are also used in PVC floors, washing powders, body lotions and plastic objects – such as plastic bottles, food containers and even old toys. Then can easily get into food during its processing or by getting released from packaging.

Nowadays, those compounds can be detected in the blood of virtually everyone – in small amounts. If they get into mother’s milk they can severely damage the foetus and the baby.

A US study has shown that baby boys who had been consuming more phthalates through mother’s milk had lower levels of sex hormones. Phthalates are easily absorbed through the skin or by inhalation and they are stored in the body.

Live animal tests have also proven the toxicity of phthalates. To make matters worse, these chemicals are very hard to avoid as manufacturers don’t have to indicate them on their labels if phthalates are only contained in the stuff of the bottle itself – although their release by solution cannot be ruled out.

Babies and infants – as their immune system hasn’t yet fully developed – are extremely vulnerable. Baby bath creams, baby shampoos, powders, bottom creams and wipes might be dangerous.

One study has found that the amount of phthalates consumed during pregnancy was in reverse ratio with the child’s IQ (measured in primary school). That means that kids whose mothers had been more exposed to phthalates achieved lower scores in IQ tests than other kids whose mothers had consumed les phthalates while pregnant.

Another study has established a clear connection between kids’ asthmatic/allergic reactions and the phthalate-concentration measured in the air of their homes.

In 2005 the European Commission banned the use of some – but not all – phthalates in toys and child care products. In some countries (such as Denmark) all phthalate compounds are banned – and so are the products that contain them.

Plastic packaging, the inner surfaces of cars, shower curtains and other PVC products could still be hazardous. It’s best to avoid every product which may contain this compound!

Always check the ingredients of the products you are buying. Be very careful with strongly scented products – it’s best to stay away from them!

To help you avoid phthalates and other synthetic stuff, we created a pocket guide which will conclude this series. You can print it and take it with you everywhere. I hope it will make you feel safer and more confident.

Have a wonderful an chemical-free day,
Andrea Varga-Darabos

PS: I feel honoured by your decision to learn from me. However, if you want more in-depth knowledge on these subjects, click here