Finding Paraben Free Skin Care Products

By Nelda Powers


These days it's not difficult to find paraben free skin care products. Although most conventional body care contains these chemicals as preservatives, even mainstream manufacturers are responding to new safety concerns by eliminating this class of chemicals from their ingredients. Many consumers don't know what parabens are and have no idea why they might want to avoid them. The safety or danger of using this class of chemical compound is a subject for much debate today.

There are naturally occurring parabens, in blueberries for instance. However, the ones found in mainstream cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are synthesized in laboratories. They are compounds that contain alcohols and have bacteria and fungus killing effects. They are inexpensive and effective ingredients that have been used for decades with no obvious health concerns. However, new research revealed traces of these chemicals in cancer 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.

Some think that, while a tiny amount might be acceptable, the use of the preservatives in so many things used daily causes a toxic overload. Parabens are used in shaving gels, shampoos, soaps, moisturizers, sunscreen, nail polish, makeup, and processed foods. They are often high on the list of ingredients, meaning that there is more than a trace amount in the formula.

Check the ingredients of things you use. If there is a compound with ethyl, propyl, methyl, butyl, or heptyl in the name, you'll know that the product contains chemical parabens. There are other forms of these preserving alcohols, as well. It's also true that chemicals substituted for parabens may not be any safer, or they may be worse.

After finding traces of these chemicals in breast cancer tumors, researchers began to intensify safety tests. It is believed by some experts that they mimic natural estrogen and may disrupt the normal hormonal balance in the human body. They also may reduce testosterone and sperm production in males, and may increase the sensitivity to UV rays from the sun and heighten their aging effect on the skin. This is ironic, considering that they are used in many sunscreening products.

Many product lines today are paraben-free, but that does not mean that the ingredients are all good for your skin and system. The art of preserving shelf items for months or even years is a delicate one. Natural products often contain essential oils, herbals, and vitamins to keep them pure and stable.

If you are cautious about what you put on and in your body, it might be wise to choose paraben free skin care products. You also should avoid most processed foods, which also contain chemical preservatives. Parabens are readily absorbed by the skin and the digestive tract, so until their safety can be guaranteed, you might want to avoid them.




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