Perfume is a popular pampering gift for a Mum to be, yet scientific research studies across the globe suggest that women should avoid perfume during pregnancy. Based on Mindful Mum’s experience of hunting for a safe perfume during pregnancy, this article looks at the research, perfumes with low toxicity rating (according to the cosmetic safety database) and phthalate free perfumes available in the UK.
Last Christmas, I inadvertently gave my husband the unenviable task of finding a non toxic perfume for me during my pregnancy. Conducting a quick scan online for a safe pregnancy perfume, he was dismayed to read reports that perfume contains up to 400 different chemicals, some of which may have a harmful affect on the reproductive system of male foetuses.
The group of chemicals causing health scientists consternation is phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates). Phthalates are used in perfumes to make it last longer. They may be listed as dibutyl, dithylhexyl, DEHP, DBP to name a few chemical variations. Not always listed in the ingredients, phthalates are often hidden in catch all terms such as ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ because there is no regulation forcing manufacturers to disclose their full list of ingredients.
Despite certain phthalates being banned for use in cosmetics by the EU in 2005, a large number of phthalates continue to be used in perfume to make them last longer. The key concern for pregnant women is that recent research on phthalates points to infertility in boys, low sperm counts and testicular cancer.
Scientific Research Suggests Pregnant Women Avoid Perfume
The following studies look at the potential harmful effects of phthalates on the unborn child:
- 2009: Plastic Chemicals Feminise Boys A report by the University of Rochester in the international Journal of Andrology find that phthalates in plastic furniture and packaging, DEHP and DBP can affect play behaviour.
- 2009: Phthalates May Increase Risk of Early Birth Researchers collected urine during participants’ third trimester of pregnancy and measured 11 phthalate residues. The study reported a 2 to 4-fold increased likelihood of preterm births in women whose total phthalate exposure was above – versus below – the median.
- 2009: Plasticizer May Be Tied To Boys’ Breast Enlargement Research conducted by Dr. Elif N. Ozmert from Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey found higher blood levels of the most commonly used plasticizer, DEHP, in a group of boys with abnormal enlargement of the breasts.
- 2008: Women Warned Not To Wear Perfume During Pregnancy Research undertaken by Professor Richard Sharpe of the Medical Research Council has found that the reproductive system of male foetuses can be damaged as early as at eight weeks’ gestation by chemicals including those found in many cosmetics.
- 2004: Chemicals May Damage Male Babies The University of Rochester team, New York, found exposure to the chemicals was linked to a higher risk of genital abnormalities in baby boys.
The chemical industry continues to rebut scientific studies linking phthalates to health risks, stating that there is no definitive proof that environmental chemicals cause problems in humans.
Based on the increasing research showing that phthalates can cause harm in experimental studies of animals, many scientists are recommending that women err on the side of caution and steer clear of perfume to reduce fetal exposure. Professor Richard Sharpe of the UK’s Medical Research Council has highlighted that this is especially important in the first three months of pregnancy.
Low Toxicity Perfumes (mind the data gap)
In contrast to the romance portrayed in perfume advertisements, 95% of chemicals used in perfume production are derived from petroleum and when it comes to toxicity, only 20 per cent of synthetic ingredients have been tested for ‘safety’. Using the Environmental Working Group ‘cosmetic database’ we researched the perfumes which have least harmful levels of chemicals. Out of the thousands of perfumes commercially available in the UK, we found just three with a ‘low’ hazard rating (3 out of a potential 10).
- Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Eau de Toilette
- Givenchy Amarige D Amour Eau de Toilette
- Aramis Aramis Life Eau de Toilette
Unfortunately the majority of commercial branded perfume listed have huge data gaps, including the above three perfumes.
When it comes to big brand perfume and my own pregnancy I weighed up the increasing body of research showing evidence of harm on animals during experimental studies within the lab, the response from the ‘self-regulated’ perfume industry and the lack of ingredient data provided by the perfume industry.
I decided to err on the side of caution and hunt out some genuine organic perfume brands free from phthalates to wear during pregnancy. They were hard to find, but on the positive side that just makes them all the more exclusive.
Perfumes Free From Phthalates
- Jo Wood fragrances are also certified organic by Ecocert. ‘Amka’ an uplifting floral and citrus eau de toilette, is 95% organic and costs £36 for 50 ml.
- REN Rose Maya fragrance does not contain synthetic fragrance, phthalates, petrochemicals, sulphate detergents or parabens. Rose Maya is £39.25 for 50 ml.
- Florame is a certified organic perfume carrying the Ecocert label and does not contain synthetic colouring agents, ethoxylated emulsifiers, parabens or synthetic fragrances. Fragrances range from neroli orange blossom to vanilla and prices start at £16.99 for 100 ml
- Tsi-La, produce natural perfume oils that are free from phthalates, parabens, sulphates and petrochemicals. Tsi-La is available at Puresha with prices start from £30 for 4 ml.
- Alquimia make phthalate free perfume in the Pyrenees. Alquimia is available at LoveLuLa where prices start at £37.50 for £100m.
- Patyka create luxury perfumes in several key fragrances. They are free from phthalates and are certified organic by Ecocert. Patyka scents are available direct or from Puresha. 50 ml bottles cost £80 and 15 ml sprays are available at £35.
