It's becoming familiar to consumers to see paraben free skin care products on the shelves of both conventional stores and natural specialty shops. Many consumers don't know what parabens are and have no idea why they should avoid these chemicals in products they use on their bodies or in the food they eat. Although there are no firm conclusions yet about the safety of these compounds, there is serious debate going on in the news and among health experts.
Parabens are mostly man-made compounds that are used in conventional body care topicals, many pharmaceuticals, and processed foods. They are added to these products as preservatives, since they have antibacterial and antifungal effects. They are easy to produce and inexpensive, and they have a long record of use. Their safety record was not questioned until new analysis tools found traces of this class of chemical in cancerous tumors.
There is now a spirited debate on the health risk, if any, posed by these chemicals. There are naturally-occurring parabens, as well; for example, they are found in blueberries, supposedly one of the healthiest of foods. However, it is the man-made chemicals that are under scrutiny at the present time.
Parabens are among the most common ingredients in most cosmetics, nail products, moisturizers, soaps, shaving gels, shampoos, sunscreens, deodorants, and other topical products. They also are used as preserving agents in many processed foods. The fact that they are so widely used may be the problem. Whereas a little of the chemicals might not pose a risk, too much might be toxic.
Research into the safety of these chemicals have found that, in general, they are non-irritating and do not cause a reaction with continued use. However, there are many people who are allergic to anything with methy, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or heptyl in the name. Again, this is only a partial list of the many compounds in this class.
The discovery of chemical parabens in breast cancer tumors has caused many to question their safety. Manufacturers point to the fact that they have been used as preservatives for decades without discernible ill effects, while others cite more and more evidence that they might disrupt normal hormone levels in women, being weak estrogen mimics, and cause reproductive health problems like low testosterone and sperm production in men.
Chemical substitutes for parabens are not necessarily safer. After all, it might take years for the body to accumulate discernible and harmful levels of any chemical in tissues. Those who prefer to use only natural ingredients are turning to essential oils, like tea tree or rosemary, and vitamins like E to preserve products that sit on store and bathroom shelves. Some question the efficacy of the natural alternatives, and some consumers have allergic reactions or sensitivities to even natural things.
Remember also that, when choosing paraben free skin care products, a 'naturally derived' ingredient might have been processed into a harsh chemical. When deciding what to put on your skin, which can absorb many substances, you need to either trust your manufacturer or become an informed consumer.
Parabens are mostly man-made compounds that are used in conventional body care topicals, many pharmaceuticals, and processed foods. They are added to these products as preservatives, since they have antibacterial and antifungal effects. They are easy to produce and inexpensive, and they have a long record of use. Their safety record was not questioned until new analysis tools found traces of this class of chemical in cancerous tumors.
There is now a spirited debate on the health risk, if any, posed by these chemicals. There are naturally-occurring parabens, as well; for example, they are found in blueberries, supposedly one of the healthiest of foods. However, it is the man-made chemicals that are under scrutiny at the present time.
Parabens are among the most common ingredients in most cosmetics, nail products, moisturizers, soaps, shaving gels, shampoos, sunscreens, deodorants, and other topical products. They also are used as preserving agents in many processed foods. The fact that they are so widely used may be the problem. Whereas a little of the chemicals might not pose a risk, too much might be toxic.
Research into the safety of these chemicals have found that, in general, they are non-irritating and do not cause a reaction with continued use. However, there are many people who are allergic to anything with methy, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or heptyl in the name. Again, this is only a partial list of the many compounds in this class.
The discovery of chemical parabens in breast cancer tumors has caused many to question their safety. Manufacturers point to the fact that they have been used as preservatives for decades without discernible ill effects, while others cite more and more evidence that they might disrupt normal hormone levels in women, being weak estrogen mimics, and cause reproductive health problems like low testosterone and sperm production in men.
Chemical substitutes for parabens are not necessarily safer. After all, it might take years for the body to accumulate discernible and harmful levels of any chemical in tissues. Those who prefer to use only natural ingredients are turning to essential oils, like tea tree or rosemary, and vitamins like E to preserve products that sit on store and bathroom shelves. Some question the efficacy of the natural alternatives, and some consumers have allergic reactions or sensitivities to even natural things.
Remember also that, when choosing paraben free skin care products, a 'naturally derived' ingredient might have been processed into a harsh chemical. When deciding what to put on your skin, which can absorb many substances, you need to either trust your manufacturer or become an informed consumer.