7 Ingredients You Should Be Avoiding in Beauty Products

Phthalates soften and plasticize, and they make things glossy. They enhance color and fragrances. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are commonly found in many cosmetics and hairsprays.

Phthalates leach out of their products into the environment. They are in our blood. They are thought to be endocrine disruptors.

DEP is considered to be a safe phthalate in cosmetics. DEHP, DBP and BBP are phthalates banned from cosmetics. They are however permitted up to 100 ppm as trace contaminants.

DMP, DIBP, DCHP, DINP and DIDP are unregulated since the FDA believes they don't pose a risk.

A label must name any phalates in a cosmetic -- unless they are one element of the fragrance. In that case they don't have to be identified.

Source:

Are phthalates dangerous in cosmetics?
http://thebeautybrains.com/2014/03/06/are-phthalates-dangerous-in-cosmetics