You have probably heard the word phthalates (tha·layts) before but may not know what they are. Phthalates are a group of man-made chemical compounds used to make plastics more flexible, durable and transparent. They are often used in personal care products and cosmetics. These chemicals are known as endocrine-disruptors, a class of chemicals that interfere and disrupt our hormone systems. These hormone systems are responsible for immune response, growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, sleep and stress levels.
By increasing the production of certain hormones while simultaneously decreasing others, phthalates can wreak havoc on the body's finely tuned endocrine processes. This hormonal interference can manifest in a host of adverse health effects, from fertility issues, early puberty, low birth weight, cardiovascular and respiratory issues, developmental problems, metabolic disorders and even cancers specifically breast cancer.
What can you do to lower your exposure to these chemicals? Read the labels on your products. Use glass and stainless steel and try to avoid plastics as much as possible, including food prep and storage. Do not microwave your food in plastic containers. If you need to use plastic, look for ones marked with a 2, 4 or 5 and avoid those marked with 1 or 7.
At Balsam & Lily, we use ONLY PHTHALATES FREE ingredients. Our fragrance oils are only purchased from companies that sell and state their products are phthalate free. It's one of the ways we make our products safe for you, your family, ours and the planet.