I’ve been reading labels again. I’m always curious about what goes into the products I love, like lotion, fancy bubble bath, and other bath and beauty stuff. Part of that is because I like to try making home versions of expensive bath products… but the other part is that I like knowing what’s going in or on my body.
Paraben is one ingredient I’ve heard concerns about — and in response, seen a lot of “paraben-free” items appear on the shelves.
So what is paraben, anyway? The different types of paraben (including proplyparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben) are chemical compounds that are used as preservatives — usually in beauty products but sometimes in food, too. They are esters — where an alcohol molecule and an acid molecule have bonded — of para-hydrobenzoic acid. Some parabens do appear in nature, but the majority of the parabens used commercially are synthetic to help ensure uniformity of product.
What are the health concerns regarding paraben? Some studies have shown that parabens are safe for use in beauty and food products. Others have shown that parabens are not. One main concern is that parabens may act like estrogen in the body — potentially raising the risk of certain cancers (like breast cancer). In 2004, researchers found parabens in breast tumors and raised fears that the chemicals could build up in the body.
However, keep in mind that parabens usually make up less than one percent of the beauty product you’re using. So if there is an estrogen-like effect happening, it may not be in large enough quantity to adversely impact your health. A 2007 study confirmed that parabens can cross the skin barrier into the body, and may build up in tissue over time. Further research is needed to definitively determine the safety of paraben in beauty products.
Another health concern is allergies. Some people are allergic to paraben and develop a rash or other reaction when they use it.
One advantage of using paraben is shelf life. With paraben and other preservatives, beauty products last much longer than they do with natural or no preservatives. With the big price tag on some beauty products, a long shelf life is a definite bonus. Products that use synthetic preservatives (like paraben) may also be less expensive than products that are all-natural.
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