What it is
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in a wide variety of products, from toys to carpeting and medical tubing (FDA). In cosmetics, they serve as solvents for fragrances, suspension agents in aerosols, lubricants for aerosol valves, antifoaming agents, skin emollients, and plasticizers in nail polishes (Hubinger, 2010). The ones most relevant to personal care are dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).
Why it is a concern
- Endocrine disruption and reproductive harm. In a long-running study of mothers and children (Harley et al., 2019), mothers with higher levels of diethyl phthalate (used in fragrance) during pregnancy had daughters who entered puberty earlier (ESHRE, 2018). The EU classified dibutyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate as reproductive toxins and prohibited their use in cosmetics (Hubinger, 2010).
- Attention and learning problems in children. A study of US children aged 6–15 (Chopra et al., 2014) found that children had twice the odds of attention deficit disorder (ADD) with every 10-fold increase in DEHP levels, and three times the odds of having both ADD and a learning disability with every 10-fold increase in high-molecular-weight phthalates. The study was cross-sectional, and its authors note that longitudinal data are needed to confirm the results (Chopra et al., 2014).
- Possible carcinogens. In June 2026, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified benzyl butyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), joining DEHP, which received the same classification in 2011 (IARC, 2026). For context: the evidence in humans was judged inadequate, and the classifications rest on animal studies and mechanistic evidence, so they identify a hazard rather than measure the risk at everyday exposure levels (IARC, 2026).
Where it can be found
An FDA survey found that 67% of cosmetic products tested contained at least one phthalate. Hair sprays, deodorants, nail products and hair mousse contained two or more, and the highest concentrations were found in nail products (Hubinger, 2010). Diethyl phthalate was the most common, found in 27 of 48 products (Hubinger, 2010). In nail polish, phthalates are used as plasticizers to reduce cracking, though in the FDA’s 2010 survey DBP was found in only a few nail polishes (FDA). According to IARC, people are exposed mainly through diet, followed by personal care products, indoor air and dust (IARC, 2026).
Label tip
Look for “phthalate” in the ingredient list or the abbreviations DBP, DEP, DMP, DEHP and BBP. The bigger challenge is that phthalates used in fragrance usually don’t appear on the label at all, because US rules don’t require companies to disclose the ingredients in a mixture called “fragrance” (Steinemann et al., 2011). So if a product lists “fragrance” or “parfum” (see Fragrance/Parfum), assume it may contain phthalates unless it is labeled “phthalate-free” or uses only disclosed natural scents.
References
- Chopra V, Harley K, Lahiff M, Eskenazi B. Association between phthalates and attention deficit disorder and learning disability in U.S. children, 6–15 years. Environ Res. 2014;128:64–69. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24267794/
- International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC Monographs evaluate the carcinogenicity of butyl benzyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and diisononyl phthalate (Volume 142, Q&A). 2026. https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/QA-Mono-Vol142.pdf
- Hubinger JC. A survey of phthalate esters in consumer cosmetic products. J Cosmet Sci. 2010;61(6):457–465. https://library.scconline.org/v061n06/39
- US Food and Drug Administration. Nail Care Products. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/nail-care-products
- Harley KG, et al. Association of phthalates, parabens and phenols found in personal care products with pubertal timing in girls and boys. Hum Reprod. 2019;34(1):109–117. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dey337
- European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. Chemicals in personal care and household products linked to earlier puberty in girls. 2018. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/880865
- Steinemann AC, et al. Fragranced consumer products: Chemicals emitted, ingredients unlisted. Environ Impact Assess Rev. 2011;31(3):328–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2010.08.002
- PubChem. Dibutyl phthalate (CID 3026). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3026