Parabens are a popular family of preservatives that are used in a variety of products including; shampoo, toothpaste, cosmetics, and deodorant. Parabens are found in about 90 percent of cosmetic products. You may be wondering if so many companies put parabens in their products, how can they possibly be harmful?
The alarm about parabens causing cancer was first raised by researchers at the University of Reading in England in 2004 when parabens were identified in samples of breast tumors. This was the first study to show their accumulation in human tissues. Philippa Darbre, PH.D, lead researcher and oncology expert said that “parabens have been shown to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen, and estrogen can drive the growth of human breast tumors.”
Unfortunately, U.S. Federal law allows the cosmetic industry to use unrestricted amounts of chemicals in their products with no regulated testing. Parabens are cheap to produce and extend the shelf life of the products far longer than any other natural ingredients used as preservatives, so parabens are the preservative of choice for most companies.
Because skincare products may sit around for some time in warehouses and stores, preservatives are necessary. But there are natural alternatives that may be used instead of parabens. So be sure to check all labels for parabens when purchasing any personal care products.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and in not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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