When shopping for cosmetic and body products, have you come across the label “paraben free”? Or have you made an effort to choose products that say “paraben free” without really knowing what parabens are? Today, we’re explaining what parabens are and why you should be looking for paraben-free products.
What are they?
Parabens are anti-microbials that are used as preservatives in cosmetic products. These preservatives allow products to survive for months or years with minimal contamination, however they also can enter your body through your skin when you use them. Parabens come in a variety of chain lengths and the effects of all parabens are not the same.
Where are they?
You will find parabens in about 85% of cosmetics and personal care products, including shampoos, mascaras, foundations, and body lotions. Typically, there are multiple parabens in a product to allow for using a lower amount of each ingredient while increasing preservative activity.
How do I identify them?
Luckily, parabens are pretty easy to identify when looking at an ingredient label. The most common ones you will see are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben, but you may see other ingredients ending in –paraben.
What is the concern?
Although parabens have not been banned by United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is increasing concern over the use of parabens in cosmetic products. Some of the major concerns include disruption of our body’s hormones, contributing to breast cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and causing allergic reactions. Populations who are particularly vulnerable are pregnant women and young children.
Food and Drug Administration
FDA has declared parabens safe in concentrations up to 25% based off the 1984 review of methyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben conducted by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). CIR is an industry-sponsored organization that reviews cosmetic ingredient safety.
FDA limits the amount of parabens allowed in food and beverages, however not in cosmetic products, despite the potential of ingestion through absorption. According to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), FDA does not have the authority to approve cosmetic ingredients, with the exception of color additives that are not coal-tar hair dyes. FDA regulations and laws do not require specific tests to demonstrate the safety of individual products or ingredients, or for cosmetic companies to share their safety information with FDA. FD&C Act does not subject cosmetics to premarket approval by FDA, although FDA does collect samples for examination and may conduct research to address safety concerns. FDA acknowledges the association between estrogenic activity in the body and breast cancer, but says that “although parabens can act similarly to estrogen, they have been shown to have much less estrogenic activity than the body’s naturally occurring estrogen.”
Endocrine Disruption
The European Union has banned five parabens based on evidence that they may be endocrine disruptors. Your endocrine system includes your hypothalamus, ovaries, thyroid, pancreas, and other systems that are highly involved with the hormones in your body. The endocrine system releases hormones into your bloodstream and is involved in many functions, including reproduction, waste elimination, digestion, and metabolism. Methyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and ethylparaben have displayed estrogenic activity. Estrogen disruption of the endocrine system has been linked to the decreasing average age of puberty in both boys and girls.
Breast Cancer and Reproductive Issues
Some of the more well-known concerns with parabens are the links between estrogen disruption and breast cancer and reproductive issues. Although it has been shown that parabens weakly mimic estrogen compared to the actual hormone produced in the body, the cumulative effect of repetitive use of products containing parabens is cause for concern. It has been known for nearly three decades that estrogen exposure is linked to breast cancer development and progression. Biopsy samples of breast tumors have shown six different parabens in measurable concentrations that closely parallel their use in cosmetic products. Methyl- and propylparaben have also been found in higher concentrations in the urine of adolescent and adult females than males of similar ages. Scientists are looking into the parallel between the increasing occurrence of breast cancer in both men and women, decreasing sperm counts, and increasing rates of testicular cancer and the frequent use of parabens in cosmetic products. They are particularly concerned with longer-chain parabens such as propyl-, butyl-, isopropyl-, and isobutylparaben.
Allergies
Although most people do not experience side effects, methyl- and propylparaben can be mild skin irritants and lead to allergic reactions. They are two of the most frequently used parabens in cosmetic products, so they may be what is causing sensitivity in your skin.
How do I avoid them?
There is still a lot of research that needs to be done on parabens and their effects. Because of the preliminary indications, it is best to avoid them as much as possible. It may be impossible to avoid contact with 100% of all parabens because they are found in many everyday products, but you can make the effort to eliminate them from your cosmetics and personal care products to reduce exposure.
Have you started to eliminate parabens in your household? Let us know in the comments below!