Parabens
It’s pretty clear that consumers are moving away from parabens — but why? Turns out it's not as simple as it seems - Emma Sarran Webster
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Why Parabens Could Be Bad for You
Walk through any beauty aisle and you’re bound to see multiple products prominently touting their “paraben-free” formulas on the packaging. Perhaps you’re even seeking them out. You certainly wouldn’t be the only one. It’s pretty clear that consumers are moving away from parabens — but why? Turns out it's not as simple as it seems. To demystify the conflicting opinions around parabens, we turned to experts on both sides of the argument.
Not quite sure what the big deal is? Here’s what you should know.
What are parabens and why are they in so many cosmetics products?
Parabens are a class of chemicals that are used as preservatives in many personal…
Resources
These Are the Chemicals That Should Not Be in Your Hair Products
Is 'sulfate-free' a good thing? What's up with parabens? What are the ingredients we should be avoiding completely?
What Are Parabens? The Truth About Skincare's Biggest Bad Guy
Boycotting parabens but no idea what they actually are? We enlisted the experts to help decipher the science.
Should You be Avoiding Parabens? The Science
Much like “organic” and “all-natural”, “paraben-free” is one of those phrases you’ll see displayed prominently on increasing numbers of skincare and beauty products. What are parabens, what health effects do they have, and should you be avoiding them? Here’s the science behind the marketing.
What The Heck Are Parabens, And Why Are They In Our Beauty Products?
We've gone dizzy trying to delve into medical reports to get the lowdown on parabens. Luckily, we have a much clearer concept after taking our concerns to two board-certified dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist. Here's what we uncovered.
What's the Deal with Parabens in Cosmetics?
You probably own at least one beauty product that proudly declares itself to be paraben-free – is there any reason to buy more, or is it pure marketing?
5 Things to Be Aware of When Buying Paraben Free Lipstick
While there is good cause for concern with regard to the widespread use of parabens in cosmetics products today, there are many other substances you should look out for too. When buying paraben free lipstick, try to make sure that you choose an organic brand that does not contain other harmful substances, such as formaldehyde and triclosan.
Are parabens and phthalates harmful in makeup and lotions?
Should you worry about the chemicals in your makeup, lotion, shaving cream, soap and shampoo? The answer is a clear maybe.
Lotion ingredient paraben may be more potent carcinogen than thought
A controversial group of chemicals commonly found in lotions and other personal care products may be more dangerous at low doses than previously thought, according to a new study.
Parabens in Our Lotions and Shampoos
The primary issue has become their ubiquity. “Parabens are found in between 13,000 and 15,000 personal care products,” said Janet Gray, director of the science, technology and society program at Vassar College. “So we are not talking about a single exposure but a more pervasive one.”
Racist beauty standards are leading women of color to use more toxic products
Minority women are also more likely to buy products that have been advertised specifically to help them appear more “white,” like skin lightening creams or treatments to chemically straighten their hair, says Ami Zota, an environmental epidemiologist at the George Washington University and co-author of the commentary. Some of these products contain chemicals with known health consequences
Toxin or Toxout: The Paraben Debate
The paraben debate will doubtless continue. In the meantime, it is possible to rid yourself of parabens if you have concerns about them.
What Are Parabens? And Are They Really That Bad?
Parabens are a common cosmetic ingredient and, lately, the object of much vilification.
What Are Parabens—and Do I Need to Worry About Them?
These preservatives are common, but health concerns have cropped up.
‘No’ Lists on Labels Make Shoppers Say ‘Yes’
With shoppers more interested in what isn’t in skin and hair products, many marketers tout their lack of ingredients, such as parabens, sulfates and phthalates.
Why Parabens Could Be Bad for You
Walk through any beauty aisle and you’re bound to see multiple products prominently touting their “paraben-free” formulas on the packaging. Perhaps you’re even seeking them out. You certainly wouldn’t be the only one. It’s pretty clear that consumers are moving away from parabens — but why? Turns out it's not as simple as it seems. To demystify the conflicting opinions around parabens, we turned to experts on both sides of the argument.
Young Scientist Journal
This review article talks about what a paraben is, the structure of a paraben, different types of parabens, where we would find them and the health implications of using products containing it.
CDC
Human health effects from environmental exposure to low levels of parabens are unknown. In 2006, the industry-led Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), in a partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), determined that there was no need to change CIR’s original conclusion from 1984 that parabens are safe for use in cosmetics. The FDA allows single or multiple parabens to be added to food or food packaging as antimicrobials to prevent food spoilage.
European Commission
Parabens are a group of chemicals that are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorants, shower gels and body creams. They effectively prevent the growth of microorganisms. To evaluate if the way they are currently being used is safe, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has repeatedly over the years reviewed the scientific data on potential health effects. Experimental studies in animals have shown that these parabens have generally low toxicity and that they don’t cause cancers.
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