Author: Margaret Bell
The dangers of parabens are just beginning to surface. Weight gain, skin aging and certain types of cancer are suspected to be caused in part by parabens.
It is a fact that up to 60 percent of whatever we place on our skin goes into our blood stream. This is where the danger starts. A paraben is the most commonly used synthetic preservative in many cosmetics. They ensure a long shelf life by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria, yeast and mold. But they are suspected of posing grave health risks with long term exposure.
Paraben Dangers Are Minimized By Irresponsible Companies
When asked “Are parabens bad?” The cosmetic companies insist they are not harmful because they remain on our skin and are not absorbed into our bodies. But, recent studies found parabens in human breast cancer tissue. This raises obvious questions about their ability to accumulate in our bodies.
Companies say they use some form of parabens to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination. Many don’t consider it harmful and have no qualms about adding it to their ingredient label. However, there is also evidence that parabens may disrupt the body’s hormone systems by duplicating the effects of estrogen.
The dangers of parabens are being “swept under the rug” by these big companies.
Trade Secrets Used to Hide Paraben Dangers
Makers of cosmetics are required to list their ingredients unless it is fragrance and that is exempt as a “trade secret.”
However be aware that words like “natural “and “organic” do not mean paraben free. Read the label, and don’t be mislead by the front label. Among the ingredients, printed in small letters at the bottom of the back label is where you will find the parabens listed.
Parabens – How Bad Are They?
So…Are parabens bad? It depends on who you ask. Scientists say probably so, and they would like more testing. Big manufacturers who use them say they are absolutely safe. So why then do they hide the ingredients if that can? What is in the fragrance?
You should take action to prevent exposure to chemicals we suspect are dangerous. When a product ingredient is strongly suspected of being harmful to our health we should eliminate the use of this chemical and find a safe substitute to replace it. We should not expose ourselves to the dangers of parabens when safe alternatives do exist and are already being used by some cosmetic companies. Do a little research like the author of this article did and you will find that parabens are bad.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/the-dangers-of-parabens-do-you-know-what-they-are-544336.html
About the Author:
Margaret Bell is a diligent researcher of skin care systems and a dedicated advocate of living a healthy lifestyle. Visit her site at: http://www.aHealthyRadiantSkin.com to discover which paraben free products Margaret recommends and uses. Be sure to sign up for her free Health newsletter for new updated skin care information.</b
Ed said,
September 15, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Hi Margaret,
Great blog about parabens. I don’t think there has been a definitive study that proves parabens are hormone disruptors, cause breast cancer or anything else…but plenty of research has linked them to these conditions.
If you take the precautionary approach – why use a skin care product that contains parabens when there are so many products these days that make a point of not using them.
I’ll declare my interest, I work for Pai Skincare – we produce a boutique line of 100% organic skin care products. Because the term “organic” can be applied to anything – even products containing petroleum/oil derivatives (made from all natural trees!), we get our products certified by the UK Soil Assocation.
Our products are primarily aimed at people with hyper-sensitive skin – men and mostly women who can no longer use “mainstream” cosmetic products because the prolongued exposure to the cocktail of chemicals contained in your average product has damaged their immune system.
And that’s really the point about parabens…in themselves, and in small quantities, they may well be safe. But since the average women will encounter parabens in many many of their products, and these chemicals are mixed with lots of other chemicals, no-one really has any idea what such a cocktail of substances will do to your body over 10-20 years.
It would take a study over 20 years with thousands of people to rule whether they are safe or harmful….and until that happens any company can say that any potential harm is unproven.
Quite a long comment…but got two more points:
– honeysuckle is a natural and potent paraben. It works exactly the same as the chemical substitute – so look out for honeysuckle on the packaging…it is a parben.
- Liz Earle makes the counter argument that products without preservatives are actually more harmful than those with Parabens. You can get mould, fungus or bacteria in an unpreserved product. In fact, there are many natural and effective preservatives that can be used as a substitute (we use them!), but it is worth checking out the opposing argument:
http://uk.lizearle.com/index_2.php?userpage=factsheetpreserve
Regards,
Ed
Susan Hebblethwaite said,
September 28, 2009 at 12:56 am
Like all really good applications which are used for a number of years these are taken for granted that they are O.K. to use, it is only after years of use, and mis-use, that these applications are being tested. Aren’t we fed-up with being told that things are “completely safe” only to be told later on that we are endangering ourselves by using them. Classic example of this situation is the use of D.D.T. and cell phones!