So what are parabens and why have they become a health concern?

Stories about parabens in cosmetics being harmful to health have come to light more and more recently, and we really should heed the warnings. Parabens are a chemical compound of parahydroxybenzoic acid. They are found naturally in foods like blueberries, prunes, and cinnamon; however, the parabens found in cosmetics are synthetic. You may be familiar with terms like butylparaben, propylparaben, and ethylparaben; These are common preservatives found in everyday products like the following:

– cosmetics

– deodorant

– Facial cream

– shampoo

– toothpaste

– bubble bath

Take a look at the ingredients in some of these at-home products; It is estimated that 90% of cosmetic products include parabens.

Products that contain synthetic parabens, such as face / body creams and sun lotions, are used more frequently and therefore increase the amount of parabens that are released into the blood. Parabens are easily absorbed as they have lipophilic properties, allowing them to accumulate in fatty tissue, for example, breast tissue. There has been extensive debate on the alleged link between parabens and breast cancer, this has yet to be validated.

However, Dr. Elizabeth Smith has written that “it is a known medical fact that estrogen stimulates breast cancer” and that “anything that is absorbed through the skin can be 10 times greater than the concentration of an oral dose “. (Think about how nicotine and hormone / contraceptive patches work – the chemicals are absorbed through the skin!). They also reported that, in one study, a paraben was injected under the skin and found to have an “estrogenic response in uterine tissues.” Scientists who observed these harmful effects in utero noted that “it is suggested that the safety in the use of these chemicals should be reassessed.”

Parabens have also been suggested to act like estrogen (a hormone found mainly in women and essential for the menstrual cycle), disrupting the natural process. Apparently, certain concerns in men, such as a low sperm count coupled with a decrease in testosterone, may be directly related to paraben intake.

There has been great public and scientific interest in parabens. However, despite a large number of clinical trials to determine the toxicity of parabens, to date, there are still no conclusions.

Ideally, opt for quality, natural skincare brands that offer paraben FREE products, artificial colors, and synthetic fragrances for your peace of mind.