{"id":53084,"date":"2019-06-21T06:43:26","date_gmt":"2019-06-21T01:43:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedermreview.com\/?p=53084"},"modified":"2024-03-14T16:56:16","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T11:56:16","slug":"what-are-parabens-and-are-they-bad-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedermreview.com\/what-are-parabens-and-are-they-bad-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Parabens – And Are They Bad For You?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you\u2019re like most shoppers, you probably read every label closely to see exactly what ingredients are going on your face, and into your body. And if you\u2019ve been browsing the beauty aisle, you\u2019ve seen many products advertising themselves as \u201cparaben free\u201d \u2013 along with sulfate free, oxybenzone free and gluten free. But the one ingredient that seems to be under the most scrutiny are parabens. But what exactly are parabens, are they dangerous and should you avoid them in beauty products?<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re researching parabens, you might be looking for clean yet effective skincare.\u00a0One brand we recommend is Carrot & Stick.<\/a>\u00a0You can read more about this brand at the bottom of the article.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What Are Parabens?<\/h2>\n

Parabens belong to a family of preservatives that have been used since the 1950s. According to The New York Times, they were introduced after bacteria-contaminated facial lotions caused a small outbreak of blindness. They help to keep formulas free from bacteria, mold and fungi. Parabens help extend the shelf life of items containing water. Because parabens are odorless, colorless and inexpensive, they were widely adopted by food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies. According to the American Cancer Society, parabens are often used in conjunction with other types of preservatives to better protect against a broad range of microorganisms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Where Are Parabens Found?<\/h2>\n

Parabens are found in a wide range of products from shampoos, to face creams, serums and shower gels as well as baby lotion. They are also found in toothpaste and deodorant, as well as some pharmaceuticals. They also crop up in food and beverages. The most common parabens are butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. The American Chemical Society estimates that parabens are in about 85% of personal care products. They enter the body through the skin, from ingestion as well as inhalation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Why Are Parabens Controversial?<\/h2>\n

According to the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, parabens mimic estrogen in the body and are endocrine disruptors. As the group explains, \u201cstudies have shown that parabens can affect the mechanisms of normal breast cells and potentially influence their abnormal growth, leading to increased risk for breast cancer.\u201d The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) reports that parabens have also been linked to reproductive, immunological, neurological and skin irritation problems.<\/p>\n

In 2004, British cancer researcher Philippa Darbre, Ph.D., found parabens in cancerous breast tumors, leading people to question whether parabens contributed to cancer. But one issue that critics have raised with Dr. Darbre\u2019s research is that non-cancerous breast tissue was not examined for the study to see if it also had traces of parabens. As BreastCancer.org points out, \u201cParabens have been found in breast tissue and breast cancers, but this really doesn\u2019t mean much. Parabens have been found in many other tissues because of their wide use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether or not the parabens caused the cancer, Dr. Darbre\u2019s study showed that parabens penetrate the skin and hang around in our bodies. For many consumers, this was troubling enough to demand that companies stop using parabens and find an alternative preservative. Her findings led many countries to limit the amount of parabens used in cosmetics. The EU, for example, has banned five types of parabens, citing possible risks to human health\u2014-especially in products designed for children.<\/p>\n

The Food and Drug Administration as well as the World Health Organization have deemed parabens safe as only trace amounts of them are found in products. The FDA states on its website that \u201cAt this time, we do not have information showing that parabens as they are used in cosmetics have an effect on human health.\u201d The FDA says it will continue to look into the safety of parabens.<\/p>\n

Butcritics point out how ubiquitous paraben-containing products are. They make the case that constant exposure, even to trace amounts, can all add up, which is cause for concern. The long term impact of parabens is still being examined.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What Are Cosmetics Companies Doing About Parabens?<\/h2>\n

For some consumers, any trace of doubt about safety is enough to propel them to avoid parabens, and request that companies stop using them as well. Many cosmetics companies have responded to consumer pressure and fears by removing parabens from its products. Some companies, such as Beautycounter, have never used them in the first place. Beautycounter has published its \u201cThe Never List,\u201d which details \u201cmore than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals that we never use as ingredients in our products.\u201d The Never List includes parabens as well as formaldehyde, another preservative, and hydroquinone, a skin lightener.<\/p>\n

Big box retailers such as Target make it easy for consumers to search for paraben free products, as well as Whole Foods and Amazon, which stock paraben free brands such as Tom\u2019s of Maine, Dr. Bronner\u2019s, Burt\u2019s Bees, JASON and KISS MY FACE. Sephora has also taken steps to help customers find paraben free products with its green \u201cClean at Sephora\u201d badge. Products with this symbol are formulated without parabens, formaldehydes, sulfates SLS and SLES, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan and triclocarban.<\/p>\n

Other cosmetics companies are sticking with parabens, pointing out that they have been used effectively for decades and don\u2019t cause skin irritation. On Paula\u2019s Choice website, the company gives the ingredient a \u201cgood\u201d rating and says that the information about parabens is \u201cconflicting and polarizing.\u201d As they point out, parabens are derived naturally from plants in the form of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), a chemical that breaks down to become parabens for a plant\u2019s own protection. Paula\u2019s Choice\u2019s position is that \u201csome research indicates they are safe as used in cosmetics and are preferred over other preservatives to keep a formula stable.\u201d They also argue that studies looking into parabens use a 100% concentration, while most products only use a tiny amount, such as 1% or less.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Are Parabens Bad for the Environment?<\/h2>\n

Parabens also pose a potential environmental threat as well. The American Chemical Society reported in 2015 that parabens were showing up in the tissues of marine mammals, including dolphins, sea otters and polar bears and scientists are examining whether they also work as hormone disruptors in wildlife. The parabens most likely ended up in the ocean through the sewage system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What Are Alternatives to Parabens?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re concerned about the potential effects of parabens, there are plenty of options for paraben free products. A product that is listed as \u201cparaben free\u201d means it has swapped a paraben for another type of preservative. Look out for ingredients such as ethylhexylglycerin (a plant-derived preservative) or phenoxyethanol, which is naturally derived ether alcohol.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paraben Free Moisturizer<\/h2>\n

Cetaphil<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Daily Facial Moisturizer<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Cetaphil\u2019s moisturizer is gentle, long lasting and free of parabens as well as lanolin. It is suitable for all skin types.<\/p>\n

L\u2019Or\u00e9al Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Fragrance Free Face Moisturizer<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Fans love that this cream gives users a little bit of a rosy glow. It\u2019s formulated with Imperial Peony and LHA.<\/p>\n

Olay Total Effects<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Whip Fragrance Free Facial Moisturize<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 The whipped texture gives this cream a light as air texture that is also hydrating.<\/p>\n

Formulyst<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 This oil free formula is packed with multiple types of hyaluronic acid, a super moisturizing ingredient that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It works as a moisture magnet by drawing water to the skin.<\/p>\n

Formulyst<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Anti-Aging Night Cream<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Wrinkles are no match for this cream which delivers retinol at a high concentration to improve the look of fine lines, crow\u2019s feet and dark spots, leaving skin looking smoother and fuller. A dose of safflower seed and jojoba oil leave skin nourished and well-hydrated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paraben Free Body Lotion<\/h2>\n

Honest Company Face + Body Lotion, Fragrance Free<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 This hydrating body lotion is powered by naturally derived oils, aloe and calendula to soothe and moisturize.<\/p>\n

Neutrogena Hydro Boost<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Fragrance Free Body Gel Cream<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Hyaluronic acid is the key ingredient in this lightweight body lotion that is moisturizing without feeling greasy.<\/p>\n

Burt\u2019s Bees Fragrance Free Shea Butter and Vitamin E Body Lotion<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 What makes this body lotion ultra moisturizing is a cocktail of shea butter and vitamin E along with calming calendula and chamomile.<\/p>\n

Vichy<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Ideal Body Lotion Serum-Milk<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 This body lotion is formulated to help firm the skin while delivering a deep dose of hydration, thanks to hyaluronic acid and 10 essential oils.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paraben Free Face Wash<\/h2>\n

La Roche Posay Effaclar<\/a>Clarifying Oil-Free Cleansing Towelettes for Oily Skin Face Wipes<\/strong>\u2013 If you like the convenience of a facial wipe, these from La Roche Posay are formulated with thermal spring water and are gentle enough for sensitive skin.<\/p>\n

Neutrogena<\/a>Oil-Free Acne Face Wash Cream Cleanser<\/strong>\u2013 Salicylic acid helps prevent acne breakouts, and the cleanser also works to keep oil production under control.<\/p>\n

Formulyst<\/a>Gentle Foaming Cleanser<\/strong>\u2013 This ultra-gentle foaming cleanser whisks away dirt, sweat and makeup without overdrying the skin or stripping of it of essential oils. Skin is left feeling soft and supple thanks to nourishing rosehip seed oil as well as vitamins A, C and E.<\/p>\n

Formulyst<\/a>Clarifying AHA Cleanser<\/strong>\u2013 Give skin a deep but gentle cleanse thanks to this formula, which is spiked with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) derived from citrus and botanical extracts. These acids work by dissolving dead skin cells and drawing out impurities from the pores to reveal smooth, refreshed skin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Our favorite clean skincare<\/span><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that\u2019s effective and safe. If you\u2019re looking for effective skincare products that skip harmful toxins, one brand we recommend is\u00a0Carrot & Stick<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Carrot & Stick is committed to creating plant-derived formulas that deliver extraordinary results without relying on toxic chemicals or standard preservatives. Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the gentle nurturing of plants with innovative science.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re like most shoppers, you probably read every label closely to see exactly what ingredients are going on your face, and into your body. And if you\u2019ve been browsing the beauty aisle, you\u2019ve seen many products advertising themselves as \u201cparaben free\u201d \u2013 along with sulfate free, oxybenzone free and gluten free. But the one … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “What Are Parabens – And Are They Bad For You?”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":352,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1741],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Are Parabens - And Are They Bad For You? - The Dermatology Review<\/title>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thedermreview.com\/what-are-parabens\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Are Parabens - And Are They Bad For You? - The Dermatology Review\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you\u2019re like most shoppers, you probably read every label closely to see exactly what ingredients are going on your face, and into your body. 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