| From the research I do on skin care, I noticed there is | | | | profile brands? |
| a big demand for paraben free products. The question | | | | Well, the answer is simple: Being cheap preservatives, |
| is, what is paraben and why should we avoid it? | | | | these substances lengthen the shelf life of the |
| To start with, these are a family of substances that | | | | products. Longer shelf life leads to higher possibility of |
| are widely used today as preservatives in cosmetics | | | | the products being purchased, thus leading to higher |
| such as shampoos, makeup, lotions. They may be | | | | sales for the company! |
| known as propylparaben, ethylparaben and | | | | After I found out what is paraben and the potential |
| butylparaben and their function is to offer protection | | | | health risk I would expose myself to, I made the |
| against infection under conditions of use and prevent | | | | conscious decision to use only paraben free products. |
| the multiplication of germs in the products. | | | | From the various forums and blogs on the internet that |
| While other substances such as alcohols (e.g. ethyl and | | | | deal with skin care issues, I was particularly happy to |
| isopropyl), phenols and essential oils have traditionally | | | | realize that a growing number of other consumers |
| been used for hundreds of years as preservatives, | | | | were equally concerned and reached the same |
| the parabens are now the most commonly used | | | | decision as well. |
| preservatives in the United States. | | | | The next question would be: How can you tell paraben |
| As of now, an estimated 75 to 90 percent of | | | | free products? |
| cosmetics contain these substances. Just consider | | | | Well, what you can do first is to look closely at the |
| that, after water, they are the most frequently used | | | | ingredients list and see whether it includes any of the |
| ingredient in skin care products. | | | | paraben variations mentioned above. |
| For a long time, parabens had been considered | | | | If you don't see any, then find out which company |
| harmless. However, a study that was published in the | | | | makes the product you use. See if they have an |
| Journal of Applied Toxicology in 2004, reported them | | | | ingredient list available on the product itself or on the |
| to be a cause for concern. British researchers found | | | | company's web site. |
| traces of it in twenty women who had breast tumors. | | | | Alternatively, you can try emailing or calling the |
| According to other research as well, these notorious | | | | company and ask them if their product contains |
| preservatives are believed to act like the female | | | | parabens. |
| hormone estrogen. In high amounts, estrogen can | | | | What else you should know is that, besides parabens, |
| cause some women to develop breast cancer. | | | | there are other harmful ingredients, which you should |
| The obvious question you might have at this point is | | | | definitely avoid. |
| the following: Provided it is clinically proven that | | | | To learn more about these ingredients and find out |
| parabens pose a threat to our health, why are they still | | | | which products I personally use and recommend, visit |
| used by skin care companies, not excluding the high | | | | my website on skin care today. |