We all know the routine. New Years resolutions for better health, made from the best of intent, abandoned by the time February rolls around. Well, here's a commitment that doesn't technically require you to do anything, just avoid personal care products with not so pretty artificial chemical ingredients. How's that for easy? Choosing chemical free beauty products made with all natural and organic ingredients is a relatively small choice that can have a BIG impact on your personal well being.

An ingredient we're particularly creeped out by is a chemical compound called phthalates. This sneaky cosmetic ingredient is used as a binding agent to help makeup stay on the skin and can be found in roughly 66% of all beauty items. We quickly absorb this chemical into our bodies which can result in a variety of health issues, not to mention birth defects. In short, all the rave of 12 and 24 hour makeup can do you no good. And, who really wants to have the same lipstick on for 12 hours anyway? What's next a month?

So what are these pesky phthalates exactly? Phthalates are chemical compounds found in plasticizers, the substance added to plastic to make it, well, plastic. It’s pretty gross when you realize what you are really putting on your face, and into your bodies. What’s the harm, you ask?  Plenty. We could go on all day about the adverse side effects of phthalates. But don’t just take it from us, there is more than enough research that shows how bad this toxic ingredient is for your health.

For those science geeks who want to do the deep dive, read on. And for the rest of us, the summary is: pthalates are crazy scary and should be avoided more than double denim! Seriously. Phthalates have been linked to liver damage, kidney damage, lung damage, and reproductive issues. While it is banned in Europe and some other countries, the American watchdog, FDA, refuses to identify this harmful chemical as unsafe for cosmetic use. Interesting...particularly because a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 5% of women between the ages of 20 and 40 had up to 45 times more phthalates in their system than was initially hypothesized by the researchers. This study revealed that virtually every woman who participated had some level of phthalates in their bodies, but the highest concentrations (20 times higher than the rest of the population) were found in women of child bearing age. This is particularly frightening due to the rising recognition of the link between phthalates and hypospadias in infant boys. Multiple studies have linked phthalate levels in the mother to a much higher relevance of this urethral deformity, resulting in generational reproductive damage. What’s even more concerning, is that phthalate concentrations in the body accumulate over years. Meaning, restricting its use during the 9 months of pregnancy, isn't the whole solution. The risk is already there, and only pure time will rid your system of this harmful chemical.

Make a choice today toward sustainable, truly healthy living. It doesn't require you to do anything more than you already do, just be a bit more mindful. Making smart product choices today will provide you plenty of enjoyment now and benefit you for years to come. Here's to looking good along the way!

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Check out this article by The Daily Green [How to Avoid Phthalates in 3 Steps]