Phthalates
Plasticisers that keep vinyl soft and make a scent linger, usually undeclared. They are among the best studied endocrine disruptors and they are rarely named, because the fragrance exemption covers them. Softness and staying power are the tells.
Definition and health context from NIEHS.
We checked 11,795 products and found phthalates reported or likely in 14 of them.
Where phthalates turns up
Categories we grade, worst first, as a share of what we scored in each.
| Category | Flagged | Scored | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Color Products | 11 | 15 | 73% |
| Nail Polish | 110 | 177 | 62% |
| Waterproof Personal Electronics Cases | 23 | 133 | 17% |
| Yoga Mats | 10 | 76 | 13% |
| Insulated Travel Mugs | 9 | 68 | 13% |
| Slow Cooker Liners | 2 | 15 | 13% |
| Scrubs | 1 | 8 | 13% |
| Lunch Boxes | 21 | 175 | 12% |
| Waterproof Phone Cases | 14 | 119 | 12% |
| Insulated Drink Tumblers | 12 | 147 | 8% |
| Carpet | 6 | 82 | 7% |
| Silicone Cutting Boards | 5 | 76 | 7% |
| Phone Battery Cases | 5 | 75 | 7% |
| Deli Meat Packaging | 4 | 59 | 7% |
Where we found real evidence
Reported or likely, lowest scoring first. Not plausibility.
Slow cookers operate at sustained moderate heat (170-280°F) for 4-10 hours, conditions known to accelerate migration of plasticizers from undisclosed plastic formulations. Glad's refusal to specify resin type or additives prevents assessment of whether alterna
Vinyl (PVC) tablecloths typically contain phthalate esters or alternative plasticizers to provide flexibility. These can migrate into food, especially when warm or in contact with fatty foods. Bed Bath & Beyond does not specify plasticizer type or migration li
Industry testing has confirmed PFAS in period pad waterproof layers; OB's Capri Plus does not disclose whether its leak-guard uses PFAS, phthalates, or other polymers. This is graded separately but represents the single largest chemical exposure point in this
PVC meat film almost always contains phthalates to achieve flexibility. These migrate into fatty foods (meat lipids, cheese) at room temperature and accelerate in warmth, with no industry standard for maximum residue levels in retail wrap.
PVC fly lines typically contain phthalates (DEHP, DBP) for flexibility. These migrate into skin oils and water, especially in warm storage or during extended use. Cabela's does not disclose which plasticizer formulation is used in Prestige Plus.
DBP is a standard plasticizer in conventional nail lacquers to reduce brittleness. Essie has not confirmed DBP-free status for this shade, making its presence likely though exposure from cured polish on nails is minimal after drying.
Used to soften nitrocellulose and prevent brittleness. Sally Hansen does not disclose phthalate-free status for this line. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors and are regulated in some regions. Dermal and inhalation exposure from polish is lower than ingestion
Standard nail polish base coats commonly contain phthalates as plasticizers. While dermal absorption from a single coat is low, occupational exposure (frequent application) carries cumulative risk. Chanel does not disclose phthalate content or phthalate-free s
DBP is a common plasticizer in mainstream nail polishes including many Mavala products; it is a reproductive and developmental hazard at high occupational doses. Consumer exposure per application is typically below regulatory concern thresholds, but repeated e
Standard nail lacquers use phthalates as plasticizers unless formulation explicitly states otherwise. Morgan Taylor makes no free-of claims. Reproductive toxicity concerns are established for high-dose occupational exposure; consumer application risk is lower
Standard Revlon nail enamel formulations include DBP as a plasticizer unless explicitly labeled '3-free' or 'phthalate-free'. DBP is a reproductive and developmental hazard; EU and some US retailers have phased it out, but it remains legal in most US nail poli
Standard nail polish formulations typically contain phthalates as plasticizers to reduce brittleness. Dermal absorption through polish contact is minimal due to rapid drying; primary concern is fetal exposure during pregnancy if solvents are inhaled. No specif
What to buy instead
Highest scoring products with no flag for it, in the categories where it is worst.
How to spot phthalates yourself
What is actually visible to someone holding the product, which for most of these is the only check available.
- The word "fragrance" or "parfum", which is where they most often sit and where disclosure is not required.
- Vinyl that is soft and flexible rather than rigid, including shower curtains, flooring and cheap bags.
- A scent that lasts unusually long, because that is partly what they are there to do.
- DEHP, DBP, DINP, DEP or BBP if a full ingredient list is published, which is rare.
Where it turns up outside our data
Fragrance in almost any category, soft vinyl, personal care, and some food packaging and processing equipment.
What the rules actually say
Eight are permanently banned from children's toys and childcare articles in the United States under the CPSIA. The European Union restricts several in cosmetics outright. In United States personal care the fragrance exemption means a product can contain them and never name them, which is the single reason this hazard is so hard to check.
Read alongside NIEHS and our state by state guide to PFAS bans.
Answers about phthalates, with every source linked
The other chemicals we screen for
Every product here is checked against all of these, so a product that clears phthalates may still be flagged for one of them.
Common questions
What is phthalates?
Plasticisers that keep vinyl soft and make a scent linger, usually undeclared. They are among the best studied endocrine disruptors and they are rarely named, because the fragrance exemption covers them. Softness and staying power are the tells.
Which products contain phthalates?
Of the 11,795 products we have graded, 317 are flagged for it and 14 on reported or likely evidence rather than plausibility. Cosmetic Color Products is the worst category at 73% of what we scored there.
Is phthalates in cosmetic color products?
More than in anything else we grade. 11 of the 15 cosmetic color products we scored carry a flag for it, which is 73%. The full breakdown per product is on each product page.
What can I buy instead?
In the categories where it turns up most, the highest scoring products with no flag for it are Piggy Paint 4-Piece Nail Polish Set at 100, Piggy Paint Showstopper Nail Polish Set at 100, Piggy Paint Nail Polish Piggy Paint at 100. Every one of those was graded on the same rubric as the products above.
How can I tell if a product has phthalates in it?
The word "fragrance" or "parfum", which is where they most often sit and where disclosure is not required. Vinyl that is soft and flexible rather than rigid, including shower curtains, flooring and cheap bags. A scent that lasts unusually long, because that is partly what they are there to do. It turns up in fragrance in almost any category, soft vinyl, personal care, and some food packaging and processing equipment.
Is phthalates banned?
Eight are permanently banned from children's toys and childcare articles in the United States under the CPSIA. The European Union restricts several in cosmetics outright. In United States personal care the fragrance exemption means a product can contain them and never name them, which is the single reason this hazard is so hard to check.
How do you know?
We do not lab test. Every grade here is built from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, brand disclosures, recalls and third party lab results where those already exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so, and where a brand publishes nothing we score the silence rather than guessing.
3% of everything we grade carries a flag for phthalates. See every hazard we track or browse the full products list.