I do not exactly have precise data showing how many people are actually conscious of the dangers of parabens and other synthetic chemical found in many skin care products. However, it is noticeable that a growing number of consumers are now opting for paraben-free skin care creams. This eventually led to an agreement among most cosmetic manufacturers to avoid using known hazardous chemicals.
Parabens are a group of chemicals mainly used as preservatives in many cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. They are normally found in many home products, such as toothpaste, shampoos, artificial moisturizers, shaving gels, lubricants, underarm deodorants, skin tanning solutions and topical medications. Parabens are also used as food additives.
Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid. They may take various forms. Try to check out some of your personal acre products if they contain mythylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben or butylparaben. These are most common forms of parabens used in personal care products.
Parabens are also found in nature. Blueberries contain a minute amount of this substance, although this natural compound is not known to cause any harmful effect when blueberries are consumed. In fact, blueberries are considered as rich sources of many anti-oxidants that help our body fight many diseases by eliminating free radicals inside.
The parabens used in all commercial products, notably skin care products, are synthetically produced. This is the type of parabens suspected of causing some health hazards, leading sometimes to more serious ailments.
Are parabens safe to use or are they bad?
A study conducted by Dr. PD Darbre and colleagues at the University of Reading, United Kingdom, published in 2004, showed that there was substantial amount of paraben compounds in breast cancer tumors. It was suggested that parabens found in underarm deodorants migrated to the breast cells and eventually caused the growth of tumors cells in the breast.
Many people were also found to develop allergic reactions due to use of products containing parabens. Parabens may trigger various types of dermatitis and other skin conditions. When absorbed by the body, parabens cause estrogenic effects. They mimic and behave like estrogen, leading to various interferences with the endocrine system.
Admittedly, there are no hard scientific studies that categorically point out parabens as bad and harmful to the body. So far, studies, such as the 2004 University of Reading research conducted, only indicate correlation between paraben intake and certain diseases. In other words, there are no very conclusive report that is widely accepted in the scientific community.
So, are parabens bad? If you are dead serious in taking care of your health, it is always best to stay away from products containing synthetic products suspected of containing harmful chemicals. Effects may not be seen immediately, but long-term use of those kinds of products may pose more serious health conditions in the future.
Instead, use products that are made only of natural ingredients. Aside from being equally effective, these natural substances are widely regarded as safe. They also address many ailments in a holistic manner, trying to treat not just the directly affected areas but the surrounding tissues and organs as well. In effect, they are helpful in preventing other diseases too.
Having told you about the dangers of parabens, it is now logical to check your existing personal care products and do something about your own well-being.
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