Can phthalates in personal care products affect your fertility?

What's in your products

Phthalates are in more personal care products than most people realize. They help fragrances last longer in perfumes, lotions, and shampoos. They make nail polish flexible. They're in hair spray, deodorant, and body wash. The labels rarely list "phthalates" directly. Instead, they hide behind the word "fragrance."

You absorb phthalates through your skin every time you apply scented lotion or moisturizer. They enter your bloodstream within hours and reach your reproductive organs.

What the research says

A 2026 research review analyzed how phthalates accelerate ovarian aging. The findings showed that phthalate exposure damages ovarian follicles, the structures that hold and mature your eggs.

The damage happens through multiple pathways at once. Phthalates increase oxidative stress inside follicle cells, trigger inflammation, and disrupt the hormonal signals that control egg development. Over time, this shrinks the pool of viable eggs faster than normal aging would.

Women with higher phthalate levels in their bodies showed signs of reduced ovarian reserve, meaning fewer eggs available for fertilization. This effect was seen even at exposure levels common in the general population.

How to reduce your exposure

Choose fragrance-free personal care products. Look for "phthalate-free" on labels. Swap perfume for essential oil-based scents. Use unscented lotion, especially on large skin areas. Check ingredient lists for "fragrance" or "parfum," which often contain hidden phthalates.