Falatians during pregnancy – A warning for Mother’s Day

What is this news about phthalates during pregnancy?

Mother’s Day is almost here – one of our favorite vacations here at CV SkinLabs. It is a time to honor the power, love and sacrifice of our mothers, those special people in our lives who are irreplaceable.

Imagine our surprise to read about a new study published in the scientific journal Nature communication Show that prospective mothers who are exposed to daily products can unconsciously influence the metabolism of their newborns and the development of the brain.

We all know how important it is for mothers to take care of themselves for and during their pregnancies, as well as during pregnancy. But this study was not about the dangers of drinking alcohol, taking the wrong drugs or consuming too much caffeine during pregnancy.

It was about the dangers of exposure to phthalates, a group of chemicals that are used to produce a wide range of products, including products for personal care.

This is what the study has found and why it is more important than ever for us to do what we can do to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals in our products.

What are phthalates?

Phthalates – Pronounced Thal-eats– are a group of chemicals that are used to break plastics more flexibly and more difficult. But they are also added to a surprising number of personal care and beauty products.

Nowadays they are present in lotions, shampoos, deodorants, perfumes and nail polishes, such as in these formulations, they help to solve other ingredients and let scents last longer.

If you check the ingredient label, you will probably not find the word ‘phtalate’. Instead, manufacturers often hide these chemicals in patented fragrance mixtures. In some cases you may see the name of a specific phthalate.

When phthalates are announced, you may see names like this:

• Deposit (Diethylphalate) – the most common phthalate used in products for personal care, in particular in scents
• DBP (Dibutyl phthalate) – Then used in nail polishes to prevent chipping
• Dehp (Tue (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) -Leer usual in plastics but sometimes used in scents
• DMP (Dimethylphalate) – Sometimes found in hair sprays and insect display

More often you see ‘scent’ or ‘perfume’ mentioned on the label – and that is often a red flag. These generic terms can legally include dozens (or even hundreds) non -known chemicals, including phthalates.

Falatians are almost impossible to avoid in modern life, because they are also used in food packaging, vinyl floors, medical tubes, plastic toys, detergents and even raincoats. But their presence in products for skin care and personal care – items that we rub or inhale directly on our skin – evokes special concern, especially for pregnant women.

Falatians during pregnancy – why are people worried about phthalates?

Earlier research has shown that phthalates are endocrine disruptors. This means that they can work as hormones in the human body and disrupt the normal function of those hormones.

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system. They travel through the bloodstream to tissues and organs, where they help regulate functions such as growth, metabolism, mood, sleep and development during pregnancy.

Even minor changes in hormone levels can have significant effects on what the body and brain function are, therefore there is concern about chemicals such as phthalates that interfere hormones.

Over the years, phthalates have been linked to various health problems, including:

• Reduced fertility in men and women
• Lower testosterone levels
• Increased risk of asthma and allergies
• Obesity and insulin resistance
• Neurological development problems in children

Now researchers focus their attention on how the exposure of phthalate can influence the developing fetal brain during pregnancy – and the results are worrying.

Falatians during pregnancy – The study 2025

In April 2025, researchers from Emory University, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Columbia University published a study in Nature communication. The study was aimed at a large cohort of pregnant women and their newborns and analyzed how prenatal exposure to phthalates influenced early brain development.

This is what they did:

• Measured phthalate levels in the urine of pregnant women and compared to the average levels reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during the same study period (2015-2016) in both the general American population of 20 years and parent and in non-Spanish blacks.
• After birth, their newborns underwent MRI scans within the first month of life to assess brain connectivity patterns.
• The scientists were looking for associations between phthalate levels and changes in white matter – the wiring that helps different parts of the brain communicate.

This is what they have found:

• Prenatal phthalate levels in the mother’s blood during pregnancy were associated with lower levels of neurotransmitter -front walkers who are important for the development of the brain in the blood of the newborn.
• Higher prenatal phthalate levels were also associated with biological changes coupled to lower information processing (or attention) and excitability (or excitement) scores in newborns.

These findings suggest that the exposure of a mother to phthalates during pregnancy can influence metabolism shortly after the birth of her newborn and can also have lasting effects on the development of children’s brain.

Susan HoffmanPhD, the first author of the study, had this to say:

“Dit was de eerste studie die aantoont dat de blootstelling van een moeder aan ftalaten de metaboloom van hun baby kan beïnvloeden en ook de eerste die aantoont dat deze biologische veranderingen de ontwikkeling van pasgeborene kunnen beïnvloeden. Dit is belangrijk omdat er een gemeenschappelijke overtuiging is dat de placenta de baby beschermt tegen veel van de ontwikkeling van hun ontwikkeling, maar daadwerkelijk de Baby’s Baby’s Baby’s Baby -Baby -biologie die de Baby influences the baby’s baby, but that they have the baby biology to influence the baby and actually influence the baby and actually influence the baby and actually influence the baby and to have a negative influence on their development, but this study is able to influence the baby’s development.

Phthalates during pregnancy – they are everywhere, also in you!

Unfortunately, phthalates are incredibly widespread in the American population. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), More than 97 percent of Americans have detectable levels of at least three specific phthalates in their bodies.

That means we all wear – and our children – these chemicals in our bodies.

Common sources of exposure to phthalate include:

• Scented products for personal care (perfume, deodorant, body wash, shampoo)
• Plastic containers and food packaging
• Fast food (which is often supplied in phthalate-containing wraps)
• Vinyl floors and shower curtains
• Air fresheners and cleaning products

Doing something that seems harmless – such as applying lotion after a shower – can contribute to a slow, steady accumulation of phthalates in your body.

Falatians during pregnancy – The problem of products for personal care products

You don’t get much exposure to your shower curtain because you don’t touch it every day, but you apply every day, sometimes several times a day for personal care products. This means that your risk of exposure to phthalate is greater from products for personal care than almost any other type of product.

Many products that are marketed on the market can be labeled as natural, but still contain harmful chemicals. Falatians, parabens, synthetic scents, formaldehyde-free agents and other toxic substances lurks in everyday items, from face creams to lip balms.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women must be particularly careful because this study shows that their developing babies are particularly vulnerable to negative effects of these toxins. The placenta does not block these chemicals; Babies can also be exposed by breast milk and skin-to-skin contact.

How to reduce your exposure to phthalate

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to phthalates and other harmful ingredients. Think of it as a powerful protection for your baby and a loving gesture for yourself this Mother’s Day and then.

Here are some simple ways to start:

1. Avoid products with “scent” or “perfume”

These terms often point to the presence of hidden phthalates and many other unknown chemicals. Search for products with the label ‘odor -free’ or ‘phthalate -free’.

2. Switch to safer brands for personal care

Brands such as CV SkinLabs are specifically formulated without phthalates, parabens, sulfates or synthetic scents. CV SkinLabs focuses on non-toxic, dermatologist-tested ingredients that are soft and safe for a sensitive skin-inclusive during pregnancy and even for newborns.

Always check the ingredient list before buying a product. If in doubt, search for products such as CV SkinLabs that are made by ingredient-conscious companies.

3. Use fewer products

Simplifying your routine can reduce your exposure. Our Rescue + Relief Spray can be used for example as an afternoon sir, a moisturizing toner, a soothing aftershave or to calm the skin after sun exposure. It also helps that itchy dry belly during pregnancy!

4. Check the package

If possible, choose glasses or phthalate -free plastic packaging. Avoid microwave food in plastic containers, because heat increases the chemical losing.

5. Filter indoor air

Phthalates can also be in the air, especially from vinyl products or air fresheners. Use a HEPA filter for vacuuming, regularly open windows to regularly improve air quality, fabric and consider using a quality air filter.

6. Limit fast food and processed foods

Phthalates are usually more common with highly processed foods and fast food. Choose fresh, whole foods and save leftovers in glass containers when possible.

A gift that lasts a lifetime

This Mother’s Day, with the power of self-care not, only as a treat but as a vital form of protection. The choices you now make can have wrinkle effects during the life of your child – and yours too.

What do you think of this study on phthalates during pregnancy?

Featured image by Vinayak Chavan Via Pexels.