| Judging by the number of anti aging skin products that | | | | Good idea, you should be wearing one anyway. Just |
| contain parabens, you'd have to think they contribute in | | | | check the label though because... guess what? That's |
| a big way in protecting the skin from aging. | | | | right, parabens are even found in certain sun protection |
| What are parabens? | | | | products. |
| Parabens are a large collection of synthetic chemical | | | | How can I tell if there are parabens in the products I |
| products found in most skin care and cosmetic | | | | use? |
| products including moisturizers, shampoos, foundation, | | | | It's very difficult because they go under so many |
| face powder, exfoliants, baby products... There are | | | | different names! Some of the more recognisable ones |
| thousands of skin care products that contain parabens, | | | | are: Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Isobutylparaben, |
| the list is endless. | | | | Aseptoform Butyl and Benzoic acid. Parabens have |
| The reason parabens are put into skin care products is | | | | many synonyms so without knowing all the names, |
| they have an antibacterial effect and act as a | | | | which is virtually impossible, reading the label will only |
| preservative. | | | | add to further confusion. |
| So what? There are two problems. | | | | It's fairly safe to say if you see several long names |
| The first and most serious one is the potential for | | | | you can't pronounce on the back of a product, there's |
| parabens to be absorbed by the skin into the | | | | a paraben lurking somewhere inside! Over 90% of skin |
| bloodstream from where they can lodge in our fatty | | | | care products, contain these chemicals. They are there |
| tissues. As women are the main users of these | | | | because they are cheap and until recently, considered |
| products, the breast tissue is of particular concern. | | | | relatively safe. |
| Parabens mimic the hormone estrogen and can be | | | | The FDA has requested cosmetic companies to test |
| absorbed by the breast tissue. In fact parabens, in their | | | | the various ingredients they use to manufacture their |
| unconverted form, have been found in breast tumours. | | | | products (May 2005). While they are to be |
| What's the other problem with parabens? | | | | commended for this, the process is laboriously slow |
| Anti aging products are bought by both men and | | | | and ongoing. |
| women in the hope of preserving the appearance of | | | | How can I protect my family against parabens? |
| their skin. The problem is that some parabens can | | | | Easy! Use natural cosmetics. The products on the site |
| react to the UV rays in sunlight to produce a | | | | below contain no parabens whatsoever and are free |
| substance that actually accelerates aging. | | | | of other cancer causing agents. And no, they're not |
| No problems, you may think, I'll just wear a sun block. | | | | expensive! |