The chemical that gives some lipsticks and nail polishes their gloss may increase the risk of breast cancer, according to scientists at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.Butyl benzyl phthalate, or BBP, belongs to a family of chemicals called phthalates, which mimic the female sex hormone estrogen. We live in a phthalate-saturated environment, because phthalates are so widely used to make plastics softer. Phthalates turn up in everything from baby bottles and food packaging to toys, carpets, and solvents, as well as cosmetics.And they’ve been turning up in the news, lately, too, because phthalates are increasingly suspected of contributing to early puberty, birth defects, kidney problems, infertility, and breast cancer.Consumer advocates are lobbying cosmetics manufacturers to drop the phthalates. A spokesman for The Women’s Environmental Network in Britain told the Daily Mail:

“There are safer alternatives”People are putting numerous cosmetics on their skin each day - from shower gel, to hair spray and moisturiser. Trace elements are being absorbed by the skin and they can build up in the body and have a long-term effect.”

So we may be inadvertently applying toxins to our pores, our hair, and nails in the name of getting squeaky clean and giving ourselves a bit of sheen. Ick. The “natural look” looks better all the time.For more information on Phthalates click HERE.