What are paraben free cosmetics?
Have you ever gone through a makeup aisle and noticed that some cosmetic products read “paraben free”? Or maybe you’ve heard that you should opt for such products when shopping for your next makeup and you are left with the question – what are paraben free cosmetics?
Let’s talk about parabens and what they are and you can make your own judgement call on the safety. The internet can be confusing when one website says the use of parabens in makeup is safe, yet another says they are not safe to use.
Here are the basic things you need to know about parabens.
What is a paraben?
According to the Food and Drug Administration FDA, parabens are chemicals used to preserve cosmetic products. These preservatives are meant to prevent harmful bacteria as well as mold from growing in the products.
Some parabens used in cosmetic products are butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben. They are usually combined so as to prevent microorganisms and protect the consumer.
Are parabens harmful or safe?
In the real sense, adding parabens to products is supposed to be a good thing since the intention is to protect both the product as well as the consumer. However, the thing is that chemicals are not good for your skin regardless of the intention. Parabens are absorbed through the skin, just like other chemicals, which means they enter the body.
In a study carried out in 2004 and published on the Journal of Applied Toxicology, there was an effort to see if parabens had a link to breast cancer. 19 out of 20 women tested with breast tumors had traces of parabens in the tumor (Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2004). It was discovered that parabens that are still intact were seen and extracted from a breast cancer tissue.
Meanwhile, this study is still under dispute by some scientists who argued that the study did not compare normal breast tissue to tumorous ones, and that the study only focused on the tissue close to the armpit. Nevertheless, advocates for a safe cosmetics states that some reports have shown that parabens are linked to immunological, reproductive, skin irritation and neurological issues.
During 2005-2006 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists completed a study with a little over 2,500 participants. Methylparaben and propylparaben were found in the urine of MOST of the participants tested (“Parabens Factsheet”, 2017).
The European Cosmetics Regulation banned the use of parabens Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Phenylparaben, Benzylparaben and Pentylparaben as preservatives in cosmetic products (“Amended Safety Assessment of Parabens as Used in Cosmetics”, 2019). This however, does not place a ban on the use of those in the USA.
Are parabens only present in cosmetics?
In trying to answer the question – what are paraben free cosmetics, you need to know that parabens are not limited to your lipstick, foundation or mascara alone but also in facial care products, moisturizers, shaving and hair products, and some deodorants to name a few.
Now, can I shock you a little? Do you know that parabens are also found in some foods in your local market? It’s that serious.
How do I find paraben free cosmetics
The law states that any product containing parabens must be stated on the product. That means that you can easily find paraben free cosmetics as they are becoming very popular and more companies are finding alternative products to use in place of parabens. Read the ingredients on all products and if it has anything that ends with paraben (butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben) you’ll know right away it is not free of parabens.
Now that you know what paraben free cosmetics are, it’s your choice to decide if you think they are safe. Personally, I avoid them, it’s just not worth the risk of using products that contain them when there are plenty of makeup products that do not have parebens.
Sources:
Amended Safety Assessment of Parabens as Used in Cosmetics. (2019, January 23). PDF File https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/TR746.pdf
Darbre PD, et al., Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumors. Journal of Applied Toxicology, vol. 24, pp 5-13, 2004.
Parabens Factsheet. (2017, April 07). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Parabens_FactSheet.html
