Parabens
Parabens are a group of chemicals that are used as a type of preservative in many cosmetic and beauty products. It is common to see Paraben-Free on many cosmetic labels because of all the harmful effects it can cause to your body.
What has Parabens?
There are a variety of beauty products and even food-type products that can contain these chemicals including:
- Deodorants
- Food Additive
- Lotions
- Moisturizers
- Shampoo
- Shaving Gels
- Tanning Products
- Toothpastes
Why are Parabens Used?
Even though they pose many health risks to us, parabens are an extremely effective preservative in many of the products that we use on a daily basis. Other, more natural preservatives, on the market can also be used, but are not proven to be as effective. Combine that with their low cost and it’s no wonder that it is so commonly used.
How Safe is it?
The FDA currently recognizes the many studies showing that parabens can pose negative health effects on the body, but do not feel that consumers should be concerned with it’s safety until more research is done.
Parabens are considered to be a hormone disruptor that interfere with how hormones function in the body. They act like “imititation” hormones and fool the body and have weak estrogenic activity. A 2004 study was done that found parabens in breast tumors in the form of estrogenic activity. The FDA does acknowledge the fact that estrogenic activity is linked to certain forms of breast cancer, but still deem it as “safe” because no conclusive evidence was found to directly link it to cancer. This type of attitude allows dangerous chemicals like these to continue to be used in products we use.
Other Names
Just as with Propylene Glycol, there are a variety of names that all make up the paraben chemical group including:
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)
Be sure to keep any eye out for anything with the above listed on its label. There are so many concerns in the general public over these chemicals that it is better to not using anything with them in it. With so many natural cosmetic and beauty products are now available on the market that there is no need to unnecessarily increase your risk to breast cancer.
Comments
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March 17th, 2009Trackback from : Parabens | Breast Cancer Center
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March 17th, 2009
So many scary things in common everyday products! I agree that more and more things note “paraben-free”, but if you look at the majority of products at a standard store, unfortunately most of them still have parabens, and fragrances, etc. in them…
Good post!
Yipers! I am male and don’t use beauty products (even if I did I wouldn’t admit it) but my little lady is starting to get into some of the more upperend products. In fact she has now started using a bleaching cream to bleach out her old spots. I am going to check the label!