Parabens are a preservative that has been used in the beauty industry for decades. But what exactly are parabens? And why should you avoid them when shopping for skincare products? Read on to find out more!
What are parabens-free beauty products?
Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in personal care products such as makeup, shampoo, body lotion, or deodorant. This means that they prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in cosmetic formulations.
Why are parabens bad for your health?
There are many reasons why you need to go paraben-free; these are:
1. Hormones
Some of the parabens that are used as preservatives in beauty products can act as xenoestrogens; this means they imitate the activity of natural estrogen and thus interfere with hormone function.
2. Allergies
People with sensitive skin might experience symptoms such as rash after using a product that contains parabens. This is because chemicals in preservatives like this one can irritate the skin and cause a negative reaction.
3. Cancer-causing
Research has shown that there is a link between breast cancer and parabens. In addition, many studies have shown that you should avoid putting products with (xenoestrogens) on skin tissue as this can interfere with estrogen activity in your body. This might increase the risk of developing cancerous tumors.
4. Environment
You might be surprised to learn that parabens are more than just a cosmetic concern. When you wash off your cosmetics and beauty products, they end up in the drainage system where synthetic preservatives like themselves can accumulate from other substances with harmful side effects on our environment!
How to find and buy products that are free of parabens?
There are several simple ways to avoid buying beauty products that contain parabens:
1. Labels that have these terms indicate that the product contains parabens:
– methylparaben
– ethylparaben
– butylparaben
– propylparaben
2. Look for terms like “natural” and “organic,” which indicate that the product is free of parabens.
3. Avoid products with a long list of ingredients.
4. Look online for paraben-free products. These days they are easily available given the growing awareness amongst people.
Using products that are paraben-free can give you peace of mind knowing that the beauty items you use every day will not cause allergic reactions or disrupt your body’s natural hormonal balance
