Stroll through the skincare or beauty aisle of any store and you’ll see products advertised as being free of phthalates.
It’s not unusual to see brands proudly proclaiming they’re free of certain chemicals. But what are phthalates and are they something to be avoided?
Phthalates are chemicals that are used to make plastics soft and flexible, said Leila Deravi, an associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Northeastern University. And there is evidence that they can have a negative impact on people.
“Phthalates have a legitimate bad rap,” said Deravi. “What happens is that these compounds go into your body and go systemic, and it’s a big problem because these are categories of compounds that are categorized as endocrine disruptors. They can bind to your hormonal receptors and alter hormone profiles and regulation.”
Research has found that this can lead to a number of health problems for adults and children, ranging from type 2 diabetes to obesity. It can also affect a person’s fertility and children’s puberty.
Read more at Northeastern Global News
Photo by Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University
