According to a just released study by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, exposing a developing fetus to a common ingredient in skin and beauty products can cause changes in the brain and increased behavioral problems in children by age three.
Previous studies have linked the chemicals, called phthalates, to developmental problems in children.
“One of the phthalates appeared to cause significant decreases in mental development in girls. Prenatal exposures to three of the phthalates were also significantly associated with behavior problems including anxiety and depression and withdrawn behavior in both little boys and girls,” NaturalNews.com reported.
Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) are chemicals that soften plastic, but they’re often used to give products their fragrance – such as scente
d candles, “air fresheners,” and fabric softeners. They’re used in toys, shower curtains, medical supplies. And in beauty products, they’re found in nail polish, perfume, body lotion, deodorant, and many hair products.
Evidence shows that phthalates may contribute to allergies and eczema in children, early puberty in girls and more feminine characteristics in boys.
What you put on your skin matters – and this new study is further proof. To become more knowledgeable about phthalates, read Not Too Pretty: Phthalates, Beauty Products & the FDA from SafeCosmetics.org. This report also features a list of products known to contain phthalates as well as some that do not (note that it was written in 2002).
All of the products in our all-natural skin care and beauty line contain no phthalates, no fragrances (only essential plant oils), no coloring agents, no parabens, no mineral oil, no petroleum, no synthetic preservatives, no sulfates, no propylene glycol and never any animal products or testing on animals.
