If you've spent any time reading ingredient labels, you've probably seen these two words tucked into the fine print, usually right before you put the product back on the shelf. But what are they actually doing in your skincare, and why do they matter more if you or your kid deal with eczema or reactive skin? Here's the honest breakdown.
What are phthalates?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals most often used to make plastics more flexible, but in skincare and beauty products, they help fragrance last longer on skin. If a product lists "fragrance" or "parfum" on the label without specifying that it's phtalate-free, there's a real chance phthalates are part of that blend, since manufacturers aren't required to disclose individual fragrance ingredients.
What are parabens?
Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, and similar names) are preservatives. Their job is to stop bacteria and mold from growing in a product, which matters a lot for anything water-based that sits on a shelf for months. They're effective at that job, it's part of why they've been used in cosmetics for decades.
Why this matters more for sensitive and eczema-prone skin
Eczema-prone skin already has a compromised barrier, that's essentially what eczema is. A weaker barrier means it's easier for outside substances to get in, and harder for skin to bounce back once it reacts to something.
A few things worth knowing, based on current research:
- Phthalates and eczema have a documented association. A 2025 study using U.S. national health data found a measurable positive correlation between certain phthalate exposure levels and eczema, and researchers have proposed that phthalates may affect eczema risk by disrupting immune response or skin barrier function.
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Kids with eczema may be especially exposed. One study found that children with atopic dermatitis who used emollients frequently had higher urinary levels of certain phthalates and parabens, though the researchers noted it's not fully clear whether that's from the specific products being used, or because a damaged skin barrier simply absorbs more of everything, including the treatments meant to help.
- Paraben research is genuinely mixed. Some studies have raised questions about hormone disruption, but other research suggests minimal risk, and the FDA has stated it doesn't currently have evidence that parabens in cosmetics are harmful at the levels typically used. It's fair to say the science isn't settled, but for skin that's already inflamed or reactive, "not settled" is reason enough to be cautious rather than reason to dismiss it.
None of this means every product with these ingredients will cause a reaction, or that anyone should panic over a label. But for a barrier that's already working overtime, it's a reasonable place to be selective.
What we do instead
This is a big part of why small batch lab exists in the first place. My son's eczema is the reason I started making tallow-based skincare at all. Our formulas are built around a simple rule: five ingredients or less, every time. No fragrance blends with undisclosed components, no synthetic preservatives standing in for shelf-stable, naturally solid ingredients like grass-fed tallow.
That's not just a marketing claim, it's a formulating constraint we hold ourselves to, because it's the same standard I was looking for when I couldn't find it for my own kid.
This post is for general information and isn't intended as medical advice. If you or your child are managing eczema, it's always worth looping in a dermatologist on what's right for your specific skin.
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