What Does Paraben Mean and How To Recognize Parabens?
Parabens are man- made chemicals used in several cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage items as an artificial preservative. The idea behind adding parabens in products was to increase their shelf life.
Since various skincare and eatable products contain ingredients that are natural and have limited shelf life, therefore by adding parabens not only the product’s shelf life increases but also it becomes convenient for both consumer and seller.
As now consumers can purchase it any time and consume it as per his or her own convenience without worrying that the product might get spoiled.
Contents
What Is the Need of Using Parabens?
These days the market is filled with products that contain parabens. Normally all the ready to eat products, packed food items, and skincare items contain parabens.
The philosophy of paraben was introduced much earlier as the brands know the time gap between the manufacturing of products reaching it to the ultimate consumer could be quite long and consumer to doesn’t consume the product just after purchasing it, especially the skincare products.
Secondly, big skincare, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage brands make products in bulk quality to reduce t eir overall cost and make it affordable for consumers. So by understanding the time gap and mass production philosophy, increasing the product’s shelf life was a major concern, therefore brands started using parabens into their products to increase its shelf life simultaneously maintaining its quality over a period of time.
“Also Read: How To Create a Skincare Routine?”
How to Recognize Parabens into Your Products?
You can easily identify paraben in your products by checking its ingredients list. Some common names of parabens are:
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
Products That Contain Parabens:
- Beer
- Sauces
- Pickles
- Jams
- Toothpaste
- Processed vegetables
- Flavoring syrups
- Moisturizer
- Face cream
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Lipstick
- Petroleum jelly, etc
IS IT REALLY HARMFUL TO SKIN?
As per the research done in the UK in the year 2008, studies show that parabens can easily penetrate our skin and it might cause cancer. As researchers found traces of parabens in women’s breast tissue suffering from breast cancer.
This chemical could mimic the hormone estrogen in the human body. However, there are no full-proof pieces of evidence against it therefore there is no ban on paraben-containing products.
Parabens could also sensitize your skin which might result in allergic reactions to the skin.
What Does Paraben Free Mean?
There are several products in the market which do not contain parabens and are considered safer than the ones which contain it. However, these regulatory authorities have authorized the prescribed percentage for some products which can be used in it.
The Regulatory authorities don’t provide any compliance related
to the usage of parabens in products.
Paraben Free Skincare Products
After seeing so many issues related to parabens, I would recommend you limit yourself in terms of its usage as you can not substitute it completely from your lifestyle.
Several brands have taken initiative in building products free from parabens, claiming that they contain natural preservatives that are safer for our skin, however, these products have a limited shelf life which is not more than 12 months.
Conclusion:
I would recommend you limit the usage of parabens in your lifestyle especially in case you apply more leave-on products.
Do purchase your products by checking its ingredients list, chemical-free products don’t mean it won’t contain paraben. Therefore, always check the ingredients list before purchasing.
Do your research before purchasing products.
PARABEN FREE SKINCARE BRANDS:
- The Body Shop
- Neutrogena
- Clinique
- Aveeno
- Cetaphil, etc.
REFERENCES:
- “Parabens” The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
- “The Health Controversies of Parabens” Skin Therapy Letter, US National Library of Medicine.
