What are parabens - and why we should avoid them
What are parabens?
“Parabens” is the collective term used for a group of preservatives that are used in skincare such as - methylparaben, propylparaben, buytlparaben and ethylparaben – a mouthful I know. It is estimated that over 90% of cosmetics and skin care on the market contains parabens.
Why are parabens used?
They are used as a preservative, so they essentially give an extensive shelf life to products - which is great from a cost-effective production technique, but potentially not so great for you and I. It is important to make the distinction here between parabens and preservatives. Preservatives are essential to most skincare products to provide some form of shelf life, because you don’t want your favourite face cream going “off”.
Why are there health concerns with parabens?
There are two concerns relating to the widespread use of Parabens. Firstly, they have been found to cause irritations to people with sensitive skin in some tests. Often products which are aiming to treat skin conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis etc contain parabens! Go figure?
The second, and more alarming issue, is the links between parabens and breast cancer. Whilst Parabens have not been found to be carcinogenic in themselves, they are able to bind to the oestrogen receptors in our bodies and stimulate cell growth. A 2004 study at the University of Reading in the UK found traces of parabens in some breast tumours. It is thought that this is due to their ability to mimic oestrogen in the body, which is a known driver of the growth of breast tumours. As parabens can mimic oestrogen, there is the potential for them to disrupt the delicate hormone balance in our bodies.
I believe we need to be mindful of the amount of these chemicals that we consume every day/week/month. Not just from our skincare products, but also in our diet. Whilst we may be consuming the “safe” limit of these chemicals in our body wash, what about the added applications of body cream, face cream, deodorant, as well as foods and external chemicals...have you thought about how much you are consuming every day?
What are the natural alternatives to parabens?
Essentially, the answer here is to avoid or limit your exposure to parabens, especially in products to be used in areas surrounding the breasts, such as deodorants, body crèmes etc. Look for natural and non-harmful ingredients used to extend the shelf life of products and find a brand you trust and stick to it.
As a very general rule, if you can pronounce the ingredients on a label then you are heading in the right direction!
With the ever-increasing rates of cancers, allergies, and health issues in our society, we need to start to ask – why? We can no longer put our heads in the sand when it comes to the impact of skincare (and food) ingredients on our long-term health.
Be armed with information to make informed decisions about your health and well being!
Cara Phillips
Director & Founder
Carmajé Pure Botanical Skincare
