The chemical enemy #1….. multifactorial, ubiquitous… with pervasive presence and effects. 

Commonly used in nail polish, soaps, shampoos, hair and even in polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) to make it flexible. Other PVC applications include: glue, vinyl flooring, rain coats, food storage containers and medical tubing….. Used to create a “hard flexibility” for nail polish and it helps extend scent in fragrances. 

But do you know what this chemical enemy #1 actually does to your body?

It leads to:

• obesity & insulin resistance
• impaired fertility, e.g reduced sperm count
• early puberty in girls
• defects in male fetuses
• toxic to wildlife and environment
• liver and kidney failure in young children

The reason is that this chemical enemy #1 acts against certain hormones – in more precise, scientific words: it is an endocrine disruptor that is anti-androgenic.

So what is this chemical enemy #1 in your products? It is Phthalates. Phthalates refer to a chemical group that includes: 1. Diethyl phthalate used in most fragrance (DEP), 2. Dibutyl phthalate used for nail polish hardening or plasticizing. 

Phthalates are very dangerous to your health, and they are almost everywhere.

For example, a shower curtain almost always contains these chemicals. They are also used in the plastic of baby toys, which obviously is a real concern as most toys will at some point find their way into a baby’s mouth. It doesn’t stop there though. Phthalates are also used in many cosmetics, including skin products, hair products, and perfumes. 

Did you know that….

• women of reproductive age have the highest levels (age 20 to 40) and women in general have higher phthalate levels than men?
• Large-scale population studies are showing that young children (infants, toddlers) have higher levels of urinary phthalate metabolites than teens and adults in the US?
• It is the same stuff as linoleum vinyl tile and glue in most of your cosmetic and femcare products?

An important issue is that likely leaching from plastic into diet, followed by contaminated indoor air, is accounting for most likely sources of exposure, then personal care products. 

What can you do about this issue? 

Well, if your health and well-being is as important to you as it is for us at Damiva, choose at least all natural femcare and cosmetic products that are truly all natural and do not contain ANY chemicals (they are all bad)  disrupting your body’s natural flow.

Related posts:

Health Risk for Our Kids: What are phthalates What You need to know about Hormone Disruptors in Skincare and How to Avoid Them Exposure To Phthalates & Breast Cancer Risk Triclosan In Skincare: Good or Bad? The Truth About Water In Your Skincare Products Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) In Skincare Products: Is It Safe? Avoid This Ingredient In Baby Skincare! Do Mom’s REALLY Know What They’re PUTTING On Their BABY’S SKIN?