Phthalates in Personal Care and Household Products: A Shopping Guide
Summary
Several phthalates are banned in EU cosmetics and restricted in US children's products. Understanding which ones, where they appear, and how to spot them on labels helps you shop more confidently.
Phthalates in Personal Care and Household Products: A Shopping Guide
Phthalates are a family of synthetic plasticiser chemicals used across a wide range of consumer products — from PVC flooring and food packaging to fragrance formulations in personal care products. Several phthalates are now regulated or banned in major markets based on their classification as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), making label-reading skills genuinely useful when shopping.
This guide explains what phthalates are, which ones have been restricted, where they appear in products, and how to identify and avoid them.
Note: This article provides consumer shopping information. It is not medical advice. If you have health concerns related to chemical exposure, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
What Are Phthalates?
Phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) are esters of phthalic acid. They are primarily used as plasticisers — chemicals that make PVC plastics more flexible and durable. They are also used as solvents and fixatives in fragrance formulations, which is how they enter personal care products.
Common phthalates include:
- DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) — historically the most used PVC plasticiser
- DBP (dibutyl phthalate) — used in nail polish and cosmetics
- DEP (diethyl phthalate) — used in fragrance formulations
- DIBP (diisobutyl phthalate) — used in cosmetics and plastics
- BBP (benzyl butyl phthalate) — used in vinyl flooring
Regulatory Status: What Has Been Restricted
Phthalates have been under increasing regulatory scrutiny globally. The regulatory picture is complex because different phthalates have different risk profiles.
EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC No 1223/2009):
- DEHP, DBP, and DIBP are banned in cosmetics (Annex II)
- This means compliant EU cosmetics must not contain these three phthalates
EU REACH Restriction (Annex XVII):
- DEHP, DBP, DIBP, and BBP are restricted in articles (including toys, childcare articles, and consumer goods)
- A group restriction on DEHP, DBP, DIBP, and DCHP in consumer articles came into force in 2020
EU Food Contact Materials:
- DEHP, DBP, and BBP are not permitted in food contact plastics under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011
US FDA:
- DBP and DEHP are banned from cosmetics in California (CA Safe Cosmetics Program)
- No federal US ban on phthalates in cosmetics, though CPSC bans certain phthalates in children's toys
- DEP remains permitted in US cosmetics and fragrance formulations
WHO Classification: DEHP, DBP, and BBP are listed as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) on the EU REACH candidate list due to reproductive toxicity.
Where Phthalates Appear in Products
Personal care products: Phthalates most commonly enter personal care through fragrance. DEP is used as a solvent and fixative in fragrance formulations. Because "fragrance" or "parfum" does not require disclosure of individual components in the US or EU, phthalate presence from fragrance is not visible on ingredient labels.
What is visible on labels:
- DBP may appear as "dibutyl phthalate" in nail polish ingredient lists
- Products specifically formulated for EU compliance will not contain the banned phthalates
Other consumer exposure routes:
- PVC products — vinyl flooring, shower curtains, rainwear, some food packaging
- Food — phthalates can migrate from food packaging into food, particularly fatty foods
- Medical devices — DEHP is used in PVC medical tubing (separate regulatory framework)
How to Reduce Phthalate Exposure When Shopping
For personal care products:
| Action | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Avoid fragrance (parfum) | Choose "fragrance-free" products; look for brands that list all fragrance components |
| Check nail polish | Look for "3-free" (DBP, toluene, formaldehyde) or "10-free" labels |
| Use EU-compliant products | EU-certified cosmetics exclude the main banned phthalates |
| Scan ingredient lists | Look for any ingredient ending in "phthalate" |
For household products:
- Choose PVC-free flooring and shower curtains where practical
- Use glass or stainless steel food storage rather than soft plastics (especially for fatty foods)
- Reduce use of canned foods where the can lining contains PVC
- Choose toys certified to EN 71 (EU toy safety standard, which enforces REACH phthalate limits)
Label indicators that phthalates have been excluded:
- "Phthalate-free" on packaging
- COSMOS or EWG Verified certification (both restrict phthalates)
- "3-free," "5-free," or "10-free" on nail products
DEP: The Phthalate Still in Fragrance
Diethyl phthalate (DEP) has a different regulatory status from DEHP and DBP. It is not banned in EU or US cosmetics as of 2024, and it continues to be used in fragrance formulations. Some independent researchers have called for its review, but current regulatory bodies do not classify DEP as a reproductive toxin at the same level as its relatives.
For shoppers who want to minimise all phthalate exposure: choosing fragrance-free products eliminates the primary cosmetic DEP exposure route.
Certifications That Indicate Phthalate-Free Formulation
- EWG Verified — prohibits phthalates in certified products
- COSMOS Organic / COSMOS Natural — prohibits use of phthalate-containing synthetic fragrance
- MADE SAFE — screens against phthalates across the product formulation
ScoreKart flags phthalates in scanned personal care products and distinguishes between regulated and non-regulated variants, so you can make an informed comparison at the point of purchase.
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