She Strengthens

The Truth About Parabens: Should You Be Concerned?

What are Parabens?

Parabens are a type of chemical commonly used as preservatives in beauty products, dating back to the 1920s. They’re also found in high amounts in processed foods. While they get a bad rap in the natural beauty community, do you really need to avoid them for health reasons?

Why Are Parabens Used in Cosmetics?

Parabens are used to boost the shelf life of beauty products and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. They’re often listed under various names, including methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, and isopropylparaben.

Are Parabens Necessary?

Some “clean” beauty brands opt to replace parabens with safer ingredients like caprylyl glycol and rosemary extract. However, this means a shorter shelf life for your products.

Where Are Parabens Typically Found?

Parabens often pop up in products like makeup, moisturizers, hair care, and shaving products. They may also be found in deodorants, although this is less common. Look out for them in leave-on and rinse-off products with high water content, such as shampoos and conditioners.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Parabens?

When you use a product with parabens, your body can absorb them through your skin. The CDC has even tested urine to find levels of methylparaben and propylparaben in the body, especially in women who use more paraben-containing products.

Do Parabens Disrupt Hormones?

Parabens are known endocrine disruptors, which means they can trick the body into believing they’re a hormone. This can lead to hormone imbalances and potential health issues. Animal studies have shown that parabens can mimic estrogen, disrupting hormone signals and harming female reproductive development. However, human studies have conflicting results.

Can Parabens Cause Breast Cancer?

Because parabens can mimic estrogen, they’ve been studied for links to breast cancer. While some human studies have found parabens in cancerous breast tissue, they couldn’t prove a definite causal link.

Are Parabens Bad for the Environment?

Parabens have been linked to ecological harm, especially in marine environments. Low levels of butylparaben in sunscreens can bleach coral, and parabens have been found in fish, surface waters, and sediments.

Can Parabens Cause Skin Irritation?

Like any product, paraben-containing products can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. Patch testing is essential to ensure you’re not sensitive to parabens.

Are Parabens Regulated?

The FDA doesn’t have specific regulations for preservatives in cosmetics, but they can take action against companies marketing adulterated ingredients or misbranding cosmetics. The European Union has banned certain parabens, and Southeast Asian countries and Japan have restricted their use.

Should You Avoid Parabens?

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re uncomfortable with the research surrounding parabens’ impact on the body and environment, you may choose to opt for paraben-free products. However, this often means shorter shelf lives for your products.

Other “Dirty” Cosmetic Ingredients to Watch Out For

• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers: Known carcinogens used as preservatives in nail polish, hair relaxers, perfumes, or soaps.
• Triclosan and triclocarban: Antibacterial additives found in hand soap that have been banned by the FDA due to potential harm as endocrine disruptors.
• Phthalates: Chemicals used for softening plastics in items like detergents and tubes, linked to endocrine disruption and lowering testosterone in men.
• Toluene: Found in paint thinners and nail polish, can cause brain damage and harm to unborn children if inhaled.
• Hydroquinone: A skin lightening tool linked to kidney problems and cancer in rats, no longer eligible as an OTC product but available through prescriptions.
• 1,4 dioxane: A carcinogenic chemical produced during the manufacturing process, found in bubble baths, lotions, shampoos, and cleansers.