Paraben Free Skincare - A Natural Approach

Growing awareness and a desire to care for more for what we put on
our skin and in our bodies means more people want to know more about
paraben free skincare products.Parabens are normally used in a wide
range of skincare products from creams to shampoos, moisturizers to
toothpaste. Parabens can appear on labels under terms such as
butylparaben, propylparaben, methylparaben and ethyl parabens.What is
a paraben?Parabens are a group of esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid.
An ester is the result of a reaction between a carboxylic acid and an
alcohol. So in the case of parabens, para-hydroxybenzoic acid and
methanol for methylparaben, ethanol for ethylparaben and so
on.Parabens occur in nature. Methylparaben is found in blueberries for
example. But the parabens in skincare products are usually synthetic,
albeit often nature identical copies.Why are parabens used in skincare
and cosmetic products?Any skincare with water in the formulation
requires some form of preservative. Put simply, parabens are
antimicrobial preservatives; they kill bacteria and microbes that
could be harmful if allowed to grow. Parabens are also PH neutral,
colorless and odorless. Importantly for manufacturers they are cheap.
Parabens are also approved by the European Cosmetics Directive as safe
to use in small percentages.Problems associated with parabens?One of
the biggest areas of concern, and certainly the area that has
attracted most media coverage, is whether there is a link between
parabens and breast cancer. Several studies have found traces of
parabens in breast cancer tumours. However, there has yet to be a
causal link between cancer and the use of parabens in skincare.In
addition, parabens are oestrogenic, they mimic oestrogen. Studies have
shown that this may affect male and female reproductive organs. Some
studies suggest that a low sperm count and a decrease in testosterone
are directly related to the use of parabens. In addition oestrogen can
accelerate tumour growth, increasing the concerns over parabens and
their links with cancer.When parabens are eaten they lose their ester
group and they become less oestrogen like. When used in skin care
products, parabens are absorbed directly into the blood stream rather
than through the gastrointestinal tract. What is not known is how
harmful parabens are when applied to the skin.Clearly the longer that
parabens are on the skin the greater any potential risk. So leave-on
products (underarm deodorants, lotions and creams) with parabens will
give more prolonged exposure to any risk than wash off products like
shampoo and shower products.The paraben free approach to natural
skincareMaking anhydrous products (doesn't have water) mean they don't
contain ANY preservatives. Or there are other less controversial
preservatives available reducing any potential risk. Some people
subscribe to the precautionary principle, if there is doubt, why risk
it. If you decide to reduce the amount of parabens in your life then
using paraben free natural skincare products is ideal.