| After a near century of use of parabens, are | | | | people are looking for alternatives. |
| consumers ready to switch to paraben free products? | | | | Paraben free products are certainly an alternative. But |
| Or is there no reason to do so at all? | | | | what are they really? |
| Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as | | | | Paraben has many derivatives. They are also called |
| preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical | | | | butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, |
| industries. It is commonly found in soaps, shampoos, | | | | propylparaben, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and |
| moisturizers, makeup, lipstick, lotions, sunscreens, | | | | parahydroxybenzoate. So a paraben-free product |
| deodorants, toothpastes, among others. It has been in | | | | should be free from any of these derivatives |
| use since the 1920s. | | | | mentioned. |
| If it is so common and has been used for a long time, | | | | How good is the alternative? One of the alternatives is |
| then why are paraben free products suddenly | | | | phenoxyethanol which is an organic chemical |
| emerging in the health and beauty industry? | | | | compound used in dermatological products. Other |
| In a study in the UK, it was found out that in 20 | | | | alternatives are grapefruit seed extract, grape seed |
| women with breast tumors, 18 were found with traces | | | | extract, or tocopherol. |
| of parabens. Though there was no conclusion linking | | | | Compared to parabens, these alternatives are costlier |
| parabens to the tumors, it was also found that the use | | | | to manufacturers and may have a shorter shelf life for |
| of parabens even in small amounts seem to | | | | the products. |
| accumulate in the body over a period of time. | | | | However, on the plus side, there are no negative health |
| Parabens was also identified as an endocrine disruptor. | | | | issues linked to paraben free products. On the |
| The endocrine system is a system of glands that | | | | contrary, there are only healthy benefits being reported |
| produce hormones that help to control bodily metabolic | | | | in using natural organic products, not to mention that |
| activity. It was found out that parabens absorbed by | | | | organic is better for the environment. |
| the body exhibits similar characteristics like the female | | | | In conclusion, the option still remains with the consumer. |
| hormone estrogen. There have been studies that link | | | | One can always continue to use products with |
| estrogen to the formation of tumors. | | | | parabens until the Food and Drug Authority says |
| Despite all these studies linking parabens to the | | | | otherwise. Or, one can simply weigh the cost and |
| possible formation of tumors, it is still yet to be | | | | benefits of using an all natural, organic product that has |
| established clearly. However, some would not wait for | | | | immediate health benefits for the consumer as well as |
| experts to conclude it positively as it may be too late | | | | the environment. |
| for the one who uses the product. Because of this, | | | | |