Parabens are preservatives frequently used in the cosmetic and food industries to inhibit microbial growth and increase the age of the product.
Every day, new products are brought to market, and due to the controversy over parabens, we are choosing products that claim to be paraben-free.
In this article, I will share information about paraben’s uses, effectiveness, and side effects.
What are parabens?
Parabens are commonly used as anti-microbial agents in food, cosmetic, and drug products.
These chemicals are used widely since the 1920s in cosmetic industries. But over the past decade, some studies suggest preventing the use of parabens due to some causes of concern like the risk of cancer, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption properties.
List of parabens
A mixture of different forms of parabens is used in the cosmetic, food, and drug industries. Here is a list of the parabens most commonly used:
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Isobutyl paraben
- Isopropyl paraben
Are parabens bad for your skin?
Generally, parabens used in the formulation are less than 1 percent. Therefore, these are not as bad as the controversies over them, but they do have some effects on the skin.
According to a study, parabens cause hypersensitive reactions in human skin. Pentyl paraben was more irritating than others, which show less irritating potency.
A study found that parabens may cause UV-induced cellular damage, which may lead to skin cancer.
However, much research has been done on the effects of parabens on human health, which has mainly focused on cancer-causing properties, toxicity levels, sensitization, and allergic reactions. disruption in endocrine levels and DNA damage.
So far, there is no such evidence of a direct link between parabens and human health. The CDS and FDA are in favor of the use of parabens, and they stated that these are safe for cosmetics.
Are parabens harmful to your health?
There are a lot of questions and doubts arising from the studies done on parabens and their harmful effects on health.
Examples: Parabens act like estrogen compounds in our body, which may have some health concerns related to cancer risk, studied found parabens on the breast tissue of breast cancer patients.
A 2016 study demonstrated that these are entering the skin and accumulating at tissue levels. And regular use of parabens may contribute to the growth of breast cancer cells in women.
Other research demonstrates a decline in fertility in men.
Which personal care products contain parabens?
Parabens can be found in different food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products. Here is the list of personal care products containing parabens:
- Moisturizing cream
- Shaving cream
- Sunscreen
- BB and CC cream
- Foundations (liquid and powdered)
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Lotion
- Scrubs
- Wipes
- Diaper rash creams
- Lipstick
- Lipbalm
How do you identify parabens in ingredients?
You can tell if a product has parabens by looking at the ingredient list on the back of the product.
Methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben are the common names of parabens used in any ingredient list of a product.
You may find isopropyl paraben or isobutyl paraben on the labels. Parahydroxybenzoate may also be mentioned on the label, which is the other name for paraben.
Here is a video of a doctor explaining that paraben is actually bad for you.
FAQ’s
How can I avoid parabens?
Look at the product labeled as “paraben-free.” If not, check out the ingredient list mentioned on the back side of the product.
What is a safe alternative to parabens?
Many preservatives are safe to use and can be used as alternatives to parabens, including phenoxyethanol, a combination of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, and benzyl alcohol.
Which country banned parabens?
Europe and Southeast Asia have regulated the use of parabens and banned some, like isopropyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, propylparaben, benzyl paraben, and pentylparaben.
Conclusion
Parabens are safe to use in small amounts, i.e., at the recommended dose, but on regular use, they may pose a risk to our health due to the bioaccumulation of particles in our bodies. If you are following best practices to be on the safe side, try to avoid using products containing parabens.
However, marketed products claiming to be paraben-free do not mean they are chemical-free. Companies are on a selling point of view, labeling like that, so deeply examine it before using any product. Examine the labels for the number of parabens used and try to avoid the products containing parabens.
Save this pin to Pinterest for easy access next time!
Also Read: Sodium benzoate for skin; Is sodium benzoate safe for the skin?
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the product links provided in this blog post. This implies when you choose to use the link, I might receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
Disclaimer: The only goal of all the content on greenspacelife.com is informational. It is not meant to replace any medical guidance, diagnosis, or treatment.
