What Are Phthalates?

Learning About Phthalates

OK, so this is a sticky subject. One that I am partial to because I despise misinformation. And let me clarify from the start: I do not use phthalates in my products. More on this later.

Phthalates are chemical compounds commonly used to make plastics flexible and durable. These ubiquitous substances can be found in numerous everyday products, from food packaging to personal care items. Understanding their impact is crucial, mainly because they have been linked to various health concerns, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children.

Phthalates are often found in items you might not even consider, such as fragrances and household goods. In recent years, a campaign started by God knows who has spread misinformation about the phthalates used in the fragrance industry. Not all phthalates are harmful in the way you may find described in blogs or websites.

We live in an era of misinformation and self-proclaimed gurus who seem to know everything about everything. And sometimes, we elect them to positions of power. Suddenly, phthalates became the word of the day, and candle brands quickly adopted this campaign as a marketing tool. Many candle brands that use soy wax claim it to be the best or the least "harmful" or "good for the environment," without acknowledging that the cultivation of soy requires a massive amount of water and contributes to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution, just like any other crop. Often, it is the same candle brands that claim to have no phthalates in their products, and I wonder what research they have conducted to substantiate their claims. 

But, of course, we are all entitled to use whatever marketing catchphrases we want to promote our products. 

Just for the record, I'm not a fan of 100% soy waxes; they leave a pockmarked surface after every burn, are inconsistent in diffusion, and leave too much leftover wax for my taste. I see no benefits on it over other waxes or wax blends. Perhaps soy wax is a subject for another blog post. 

Chemical Characteristics and Types of Phthalates

Phthalates are a diverse group of chemical compounds that serve primarily as plasticizers to enhance the flexibility and performance of plastics. They are used to soften PVC, and while they are commonly used as plasticizers, not all plasticizers are phthalates. Lower molecular weight phthalates are typically replaced in many products in the US and EU because they are more volatile and can be released from plastics at a higher rate. They are replaced by higher molecular weight and other plasticizers that are not phthalates.

There are many types of phthalates, each with a distinct molecular weight. They are so ubiquitous in our diet of processed foods that it would be very challenging to maintain a diet free from phthalates.Riccar The best way to avoid them is to eat a majority of unprocessed foods. 

Personal Care Products And The Use of DEP

Phthalates are commonly used in personal care products, including cosmetics, lotions, and fragrances. The most widely used in the fragrance and cosmetics industry is Di-Ethyl Phthalate, commonly known as DEP. DEP helps to stabilize fragrances and improve texture. Notably, phthalates may not be explicitly listed on product labels, often being masked under terms such as "diluent" or "solvent." According to the FDA, DEP in cosmetics does not pose significant safety risks, yet the campaign against phthalates in general has smeared DEP as "bad." While I cannot say whether DEP is "good" or completely harmless, anyone in the fragrance industry will admit to not having conclusive data that it is sufficiently harmful, so they have decided to eliminate it from their formulations. Most of the time, it's simply a choice that impacts the bottom line: the cost of a compound. 

DEP continues to be sold as a diluent, solvent, and stabilizer, as it remains one of the best-performing products in the industry. Unless you have a chemistry lab at home or are willing to shell out the minimum $250 needed for a chemical test by an independent lab (good luck trying to find one that will work with you for just one test), it may be challenging for you to prove the existence of DEP or not, in one of the face creams or deodorants, or colognes in your closet. 

Moreover, the FDA does not require companies to list DEP; that is, it is not necessary to list it. Why? Because they do not consider it harmful, and here's where it becomes tricky: it's up to companies to disclose whether their products contain or may contain DEP. 

From the point of view of my research, there is no conclusive data that DEP is as harmful as other types of phthalates. However, to eliminate any doubt for my clients, I do not use DEP in any of my products. I would have used it as a diluent, as many fragrance companies do, but over my years of testing, I've come to incorporate other diluents in my formulas that work better than DEP for the intended end use. Which brings me to the other reason I don't use it: I find it thickens my blends when compared to other diluents, such as Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, or Di-Octyl Adipate, which are some of the usual diluents in candle fragrance compounds. 

So, let me repeat that: RHR Luxury does not use DEP, or any other phthalates for that matter, in our products. 

I am not going to get into the extensive use of DEP or other phthalates in the food, baby products, or packaging industries; those are not my areas of expertise, so I prefer not to have an opinion different than knowing they exist and they are used, which is to say I am aware of how phthalates are used. I am aware that it's best not to, for example, warm up food in plastic containers, not just due to the presence of phthalates, but also other compounds.

I also do not intend to advocate for the replacement of DEP in the fragrance and cosmetics industries. Not my job. It's sufficient for me to have a position related to my products, and I'm familiar with DEP and its applications; I have tested it and concluded that I didn't like it. I hope this blog helps you discern misinformation; the choice to follow is yours. Conducting your research will help you make informed decisions, armed with knowledge, about the products you purchase and bring into your home. 

RHR