The FDA considers all available scientific literature on the safety of phthalates in cosmetics published by the scientific community. Possible Health Effects of Phthalates in Cosmetics Consumers who nevertheless do not want to purchase cosmetics containing DEP may wish to choose products that do not include "Fragrance" or “Flavor” in the ingredient declaration. Based on currently available safety information, the FDA does not have safety concerns with the use of DEP as currently used in cosmetics and fragrances. As a result, a consumer may not be able to determine from the ingredient declaration on the label if phthalates are present in a fragrance or a flavor used in the product. Fragrance or flavor may be listed as such.
However, the regulations do not require the listing of the individual fragrance or flavor, or their specific ingredients. Consumers can tell whether some products contain phthalates by reading the ingredient declaration on the labels of such products. Under the authority of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), the FDA requires an ingredient declaration on cosmetic products sold at the retail level to consumers. DEP appears to be the only phthalate still commonly used in cosmetics. According to the FDA's latest survey of cosmetics, conducted in 2010, however, DBP and DMP are used rarely. Historically, the primary phthalates used in cosmetic products have been dibutylphthalate (DBP), used as a plasticizer in products such as nail polishes (to reduce cracking by making them less brittle) dimethylphthalate (DMP), used in hair sprays (to help avoid stiffness by allowing them to form a flexible film on the hair) and diethylphthalate (DEP), used as a solvent and fixative in fragrances.
How to Know if Phthalates are in the Cosmetics You Use Cosmetics that may contain phthalates include nail polishes, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, cleansers, and shampoos. Phthalates also function as solvents and stabilizers in perfumes and other fragrance preparations. They do not evaporate easily and do not permanently bind to plastic surfaces to which they are applied.
These colorless, odorless, oily liquids also referred to as “plasticizers” based on their most common uses. Phthalates are chemical compounds developed in the last century that are used to make plastics more durable. Phthalates are used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products.