Hidden ingredient in your perfume can lead to heart problems, obesity and infertility
Eau de no.Spritzing on your perfume may make you feel good in the short term, but doctors are warning that a hidden ingredient in your favorite fragrance could lead to a host of health problems, from insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease to hormone issues that can affect fertility.Phthalates are a common ingredient in cosmetics; in addition to perfumes, they can be found in nail polish, hair spray, shampoos, body washes, deodorants, and hand wash.Different kinds of phthalates have different uses.Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) makes plastics more flexible and has been used in nail polishes to stop them from cracking.
Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) also adds flexibility and is used in some hair sprays.Neither DBP or DMP are all too widely used these days, according to the FDA, but diethyl phthalate (DEP) — which is used in perfumes to blend different fragrances together — is, and experts think steering clear is the best course of action for our health.“I recommend avoiding added fragrances altogether — in perfumes, scented lotions and shampoos, even scented detergents and antiperspirants,” Andrea Gore, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Texas at Austin, told the Washington Post.Multiple studies have linked phthalates to various health issues, including heart disease, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.A 2020 study also connected phthalates in the body to ADHD-related behavior problems in adolescents, and the Cleveland Clinic reports that it may lead to allergies and asthma as well.Experts also believe that they’re hormone disruptors.
Based on early research, phthalates may have an impact on fertility in both sexes, disrupt the development of reproductive organs, and cause issues in pregnancy and birth.“Phthalates are endocrine disruptors which can interfere with hormonal and cellular function within the reproductive system.Research has associated high levels of phthalates with increased risk of infertility, poor sperm pa...