What Are Phthalates?

Phthalates are artificial chemicals often used in manufacturing plastic products, solvents, and, surprisingly, beauty and personal care products. Phthalates are oily, transparent, and odorless. However, they help carry fragrances, which is why many beauty brands use them. 

Why Phthalate-Free Skincare?

We’re exposed to phthalates everywhere, from your curtain shower to plastic dishes and the toys our children play with. The good news is that most manufacturers that used to produce things like children’s toys or eating utensils with phthalates have switched to phthalate-free alternatives. 

However, many beauty brands still use low-molecule phthalates as a fragrance booster, hairspray fixer, and nail polish strengthener. 

So, while it might not be possible to avoid phthalates from our daily life altogether, it’s possible to reduce our exposure as much as we can – starting from your skincare products. 

*Warning: search for brands with a “no phthalates” or “phthalate-free” label on their packaging/website. If you don’t see any symbol like this, the product probably contains phthalates, and they’re simply listed as “fragrance” in the ingredients. That’s is a loophole which many beauty brands use to cover their phthalates use. 

All of NUME-Lab Switzerland products are proudly phthalate-free and carry a “no phthalates” symbol. 

The Dangers of Phthalates

We stand for skincare with no phthalates because these chemicals can contribute to:

• Endocrine disruptions that cause fertility and perinatal complications;
• Phthalates cause testosterone disruptions;
• According to research, they’re linked to breast cancer;