Paraben-Free

• Parabens are a category of chemical preservatives that have been used in beauty products since the 1920s. The beauty industry has long relied on parabens to increase the shelf life of products such as:
  • shampoos
  • conditioners
  • skin care products
  • soaps

  But over the past decade, the side effects of long-term exposure to parabens have become a cause for concern. While nearly all beauty products use some kind of preservatives to make their products last longer, paraben-free cosmetics may be safer to use.

  The term “paraben-free” is meant to let consumers know that these harmful chemicals aren’t a part of the product formula.

Why are they harmful?

Parabens can mimic the human hormone estrogen which means that they may interfere with the hormone balance of your body, no matter your sex.

The estrogenic activity of parabens has been shown to interfere with the way that your body’s hormones regulate. This is cause for concern because it could mean parabens influence reproductive activities, like pregnancy and menstruation.

Research has also demonstrated that parabens can easily absorb through your skin, and daily application of beauty products with parabens can cause them to accumulate in your system. Steady exposure to parabens may play a part in the growth of breast cancer cells in women. There’s also an environmental impact.

Some people have an allergic reaction to parabens. This reaction can include:

• redness
• irritation
• itchy skin
• flaking
• hives

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source doesn’t currently have regulations involving parabens. Cosmetics don’t need to be tested or approved by the FDA before they’re put on the market, and preservative ingredients (including parabens) aren’t considered any different than other ingredients in cosmetic formulas.