What's a Paraben?

Humans have done a wonderful job of manipulating our environment to suit ourselves. No other animal on Earth has managed to make their living conditions conform to their wishes quite so well. However, we haven't always been the best at anticipating the effects of some changes (quite understandably!). The effects of various chemicals on our health is one significant area where questions about safety are growing, and parabens are one of the focuses. Today we look at parabens from top to bottom and inside to out, as well as some natural skin care products alternatives that don't contain parabens.

Where are parabens found?

Usually in any topical pharmaceuticals, many skin care products, shampoos, cleansers, shaving gels, lubricants, etc. Almost anything sold in a chemist that doesn’t say 'all natural' on the label will include parabens. Parabens are also sometimes used as food additives.

What's the problem with parabens?

Parabens have been implicated in a variety of health conditions. However it must be noted that there is very little solid, clinical evidence out there … perhaps due to the fact that there is a lot of money available to invest in saying that parabens are safe, and no money to be made in discovering they are dangerous.

Parabens can be identified in blood tests only minutes after the application of a paraben-containing product. In conjunction with this fact, there are several characteristics of parabens that are causing wary consumers to opt for natural skin care products, to be on the safe side:

• Mimic estrogens in the body: This ability means they could be a factor in the development of breast cancer. Another study showed that parabens could adversely affect testosterone secretion in newborn male animals. Additionally, a UK-based study found parabens in around 90% of breast tumours excised from patients.
• Reaction with UVB light: The parabens in cosmetics may react with UVB light from the sun to increase your risk of skin cancer, as well as hasten photoaging and DNA damage. Just the opposite of what your sunscreen or foundation aims to do!
• Potential for allergic reaction: Some people are sensitive to parabens, so even products marketed as for sensitive skin will cause irritation and allergic responses.

Be safe - use only natural skin care products!