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Ingredient deep-dive

DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate): Is It a Microplastic?

High concernPlasticiser / chemical of concern

Phthalate plasticiser historically used to keep nail polish flexible. Banned in EU cosmetics and voluntarily removed by most major nail brands, but it persists in imported and unregulated products.

Where it appears

  • Legacy nail polish
  • Some imported nail products
  • Historic fragrance use

Regulatory status (2026)

European Union

Banned in cosmetics; SVHC.

United States

Not federally banned in cosmetics; California requires disclosure.

Cleaner alternatives

  • "3-free" or "10-free" nail polish
  • Water-based polish

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DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), common questions

Is DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) a microplastic?

Yes. Phthalate plasticiser historically used to keep nail polish flexible. Banned in EU cosmetics and voluntarily removed by most major nail brands, but it persists in imported and unregulated products.

Is DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) banned?

EU: Banned in cosmetics; SVHC. US: Not federally banned in cosmetics; California requires disclosure.

What can I use instead of DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate)?

Cleaner alternatives include: "3-free" or "10-free" nail polish; Water-based polish.

What products contain DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate)?

Commonly found in: Legacy nail polish; Some imported nail products; Historic fragrance use.

Related ingredients

Parabens

Plasticiser / chemical of concern · Medium concern

Preservatives flagged for endocrine activity; commonly co-occur with plastic polymers in synthetic formulas.

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Phthalates

Plasticiser / chemical of concern · High concern

Plasticisers used to soften plastic, banned from many products. Strong endocrine disruptors.

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BHT / BHA

Plasticiser / chemical of concern · Low concern

Synthetic antioxidants, co-occurrence flag in plastic-heavy formulas.

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DEHP (Diethylhexyl Phthalate)

Plasticiser / chemical of concern · High concern

The most studied plasticiser and a recognised endocrine disruptor. Banned in EU cosmetics. It reaches food and bodies mainly through plastic packaging and processing equipment rather than through cosmetic formulas.

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