09/01/2026
Anyone that knows me knows I really don't buy 'products' very often. For cleaning I tend to use things like baking soda, peroxide, vinegar, beef tallow soaps. I will use fragrance free liquid soaps for various things. But the wall to wall products at all the big box stores are off-limits. I would never take the time to read ingredients anyway, I mean who has time for that? As you might be aware if it falls under 'FRAGRANCE' ... doesn't have to be disclosed and the chemical(s) will NOT be on the label. Those are trade secrets. Anyway, I'll pass and stick with the 1800's style way of cleaning or if I need something specific like toothpaste or deodorant head to a local place like Essential Wellness Solutions where I know someone has taken the time to properly vet those ingredients for me!
Phthalates have a bad reputation.
Phthalates are a whole family of chemicals.
A 2021 overview of reviews in Environment International looked across the phthalate family and graded the strength of the human evidence.
ROBUST
The strongest evidence across the phthalate family includes lower semen quality, effects on neurodevelopment in children, and a higher risk of childhood asthma.
MODERATE TO ROBUST
There is also moderate to robust evidence involving shorter anogenital distance in boys, a physical marker researchers use when studying prenatal androgen and reproductive development.
MODERATE
Moderate evidence has been reported for lower birthweight, endometriosis, decreased testosterone, ADHD, Type 2 diabetes, and breast and uterine cancers.
SOME EVIDENCE
Researchers have also found some evidence involving altered fetal s*x hormones, preterm birth, obesity, changes in thyroid function, and hearing disorders, although the evidence in these areas is less consistent.
Important distinction: these findings are across the phthalate family. The phthalate associated with fragrance is called DEP, or diethyl phthalate.
So why are we talking about it?
Because you usually cannot tell whether it is in your product.
US labeling rules allow fragrance formulas to be listed simply as "fragrance." The individual ingredients inside that fragrance mixture generally do not have to appear on the label.
The FDA says this plainly. A consumer may not be able to determine from the ingredient label whether phthalates are present.
That is the issue.
Consumers should be able to know what is in the products they buy.
If the ingredient is considered safe, disclose it.
If it is not in the product, let consumers see that too.
You should not need a chemistry degree, a research paper and blind trust to figure out what is in your shampoo.
That's the ask.
Not a ban.
A label.
SOURCES
Eales et al. Environment International, 2021.
US Food and Drug Administration. Phthalates in Cosmetics.
US Environmental Protection Agency. Phthalates and neurodevelopment systematic review.
Find fragrance free, essential oil free products at FragranceFreeNation.com.
Please share. Ingredient transparency only works when consumers are actually given the ingredients.
