We all want to smell good, but at what cost? Perfumes with phthalates are a tricky but all-too-common type of fragrance that has long permeated the cosmetics industry. While phthalates perfumes help fragrances linger longer on the skin, they may come with some unwanted side effects that could lead many to seek out cleaner alternatives.

Malie’s commitment to natural beauty extends far past what the eye can see. Our perfumes are made without phthalates to keep all beings healthy for the foreseeable future and beyond.

But what’s behind phthalates-free perfume and why does it matter anyway? We’re here to give you an inside look.

What are Phthalates?

Many people have heard of phthalates before but may not be familiar with what they are exactly. Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds primarily used as plasticizers – that is, substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, durability, and longevity.

That doesn’t mean they’re just used in traditional household items, though. Phthalates are used in a variety of consumer products, including plastics (toys, food packaging, medical products, flooring types, etc.), electronics, automotive parts, household goods, and, you guessed it, personal care products. That’s what we care about.

Phthalates, when used in consumer products that don’t interact with our health, may be fine, but it’s when they’re used in shampoos, lotions, nail polishes, other cosmetics, and perfumes that the issues arise.

Why are Phthalates Used in Perfumes?

The “synthesizer and solvent” nature of phthalates makes them flexible for a variety of uses, one of which being helping fragrances last longer. The chemical compound helps fragrance linger on the skin, which allows the scent to remain noticeable for a longer period of time.

While this may be an attractive feature, the potential health and environmental concerns of phthalates are anything but.

What are the Drawbacks of Phthalates Perfume?

Research suggests that there could be a number of health concerns and environmental issues linked to phthalates perfumes.

Health Concerns of Perfumes with Phthalates

There has been increasing concern about these chemicals seeping out of the products and into the body. Phthalates can infiltrate our bodies in a number of ways. In perfume, it happens through inhalation and/or skin contact.

Some studies suggest phthalates could be endocrine disruptors and may therefore impede hormone function.^[1] While there are a few phthalates in circulation that could be cause for concern, diethyl phthalate (DEP) is the main one that has been linked to hormone disruption.

Research has also found a correlation between long-term exposure to phthalates during gestational and infant development and male reproductive health.^[2]

Additionally, many people report allergic reactions and skin sensitivities when exposed to perfumes with phthalates.

Environmental Issues with Phthalates

Health concerns aside, there are also environmental issues to address.

Water pollution. When washed off the skin, phthalates enter the waterways and could harm aquatic life.
Bioaccumulation. These chemicals linger in the environment, build up in soil and water, and may disrupt ecosystems.

Regulatory & Compliance Challenges for Phthalates

The aforementioned concerns have resulted in the United States and the European Union banning and/or restricting the use of phthalates in many cosmetics, but it hasn’t gone far enough. Unfortunately, the US does not require fragrance manufacturers to list individual fragrance components on labels, which leaves a lot up to self-regulation through the Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR) panel.

This means many perfume manufacturers can get away with including phthalates in their products and having consumers never be the wiser.

At Malie, this doesn’t sit well with us. This lack of transparency is a reflection of unethical business practices, which is something we are staunchly opposed to. Our commitment to clean beauty means operating from a place of honesty and integrity. That’s why we’ve pursued a safer alternative route: phthalates-free perfume.

The Alternative: Phthalate-Free Perfume

There truly is a better way to get the fragrance you’ve been seeking without the harmful side effects. Perfumes made without phthalates are a fantastic alternative. Made with essential oils, our vegan formulas are free from parabens, petroleum, sulfates, petrochemicals, mineral oil, silicone, talc, gluten, and phthalates. They’re also cruelty-free and never tested on animals.

Available in a range of island-inspired scents, our easy-to-use phthalate-free perfumes come as roll-ons and eau de parfum. Suitable for all skin types, these fragrances can be used on their own or layered with other scents.

The Eau de Parfum in particular is fantastic on the skin, clothing, or hair. All you need to do is apply 1-3 sprays for a light and subtle fragrance.

Explore Our Aromas

Malie makes it easy to smell amazing. Our phthalate-free perfumes come in heavenly scents, including:

Plumeria Eau de Parfum – A soft, sweet, sensual aroma reminiscent of a fresh frangipani lei.
Mango Nectar Eau de Parfum – A tropical, sweet, delicious blend of ripe mango, juicy apricot, and succulent papaya mixed with pulpy oranges and touched by island sunshine.
Koke’e Eau de Parfum – A combination of Hawai’i’s natural foliage of wild plants and exotic florals.
Pikake Eau de Parfum – The “Flower of Love” scent that pairs dewy greens with jasmine, pikake, and tuberose.
Tiare Eau de Parfum – A botanical blend of tropical coconut, aromatic vanilla, and tiare create this classic Monoi from Hawai’is sister island of Tahiti.

Our roll-on perfume oils are also phthalate-free and easy to apply. Presented in small gold bottles with 14k gold accents, these offer the perfect way to add gentle fragrance to your skin. The 10 mL bottles are travel-friendly and the scent goes on easily. Simply roll the perfume onto your wrists, decolletage, or behind your ears for precise, clean application.

Benefits of Phthalate-Free Perfume

Eliminating perfumes with phthalates from your beauty routine may seem like an easy decision at this point. With so many safer alternatives available that work just as great (if not better), there’s no reason not to make the switch.

Here are a few reminders of the benefits of phthalate-free perfumes:

Lower health risk
Less risk of skin irritations
Less chance of getting headaches and developing respiratory issues. This is especially necessary for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Better for the environment. Phthalate-free products are biodegradable and contribute to less water contamination than others.

Additionally, these products tend to be cruelty-free and more sustainable than alternatives. That’s certainly the case when you shop for phthalate-free perfume at Malie!

What to Look For

If you’re on a journey to revamp your perfume profile, switching to phthalate-free options is a wise choice. When perusing the perfume section, make sure to look for “phthalate-free” on the labels. Additionally, the mention of a product being “certified organic” or seeing a primarily organic ingredient profile will indicate greater transparency in product production.

Stay smelling beautiful with a clean beauty brand you can trust. Shop our perfumes today!

Why Choose Phthalate-Free Perfume: Malie’s Commitment To Clean Beauty