We are increasingly aware of how what we consume can affect our health and our environment. The cosmetics: natural, cruelty free and, of course, free of parabens. But do you really know what parabens are and why you should try not to use products that incorporate them?
What are parabens?
Parabens are components that are used as preservatives. They prevent the appearance of fungi and bacteria in cosmetics, foods and pharmaceutical products, ensuring their effectiveness, quality and durability. Although it is true that some are of organic origin, those that are incorporated in cosmetics (creams, bath and shaving gels, toothpastes, shampoos, lubricants, etc.) are synthetic.
How do you know if a product contains parabens?
Look at the list of ingredients on the packaging. They will appear as components ending in -paraben and, due to their low percentage, they will normally be at the end of the list. The most common permitted parabens in cosmetics are:
- Methylparaben (E218)
- Ethylparaben (E214)
- Propylparaben (E216)
- Butylparaben
There are others such as Isopropyl, Isobutyl, Phenyl, Benzyl or Pentyl, currently prohibited because their safety cannot be confirmed.
Why not use cosmetics with parabens?
The use of parabens has generated much debate about their effect on our health. In 2004, a study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology detected parabens, coming from products applied to the skin, in samples of women with breast cancer. Although a direct relationship was not confirmed, the hypothesis about whether parabens could be carcinogenic was maintained.
Since then, numerous studies have been carried out (most of them in animals, deficient or with results that are difficult to interpret) and more effects have been suspected. harmful, among them:
- Acting as endocrine disruptors: causing hormonal imbalances.
- Oestrogenic effects.
- Alterations in the skin. Researchers at Kyoto Prefectural University Medicine saw that Methylparabens increase sensitivity. They are harmful with sun exposure, accelerate skin aging and create allergic reactions.
The lack of conclusive studies on the risks of parabens remains key to continuing to consider them officially “safe.” The CIR confirms its safety in low concentrations and the Spanish Academy Dermatology Venereology adds that, in addition, they are metabolized and expelled through urine (although other sources affirm the difficulty of synthesizing them topically and the accumulation of these as a result of constant exposure to cosmetics that contain them).
To date, toxicity in humans has not yet been confirmed, but as concluded The controversies of parabens – an overview nowadays: it has been reported in animals and studies in vitro. The EU has been reducing the permitted amount of parabens and has even banned the use of some of them. In addition, more and more brands are opting not to include suspicious ingredients and opting for healthy alternatives.
Taking care of your health is our priority, and taking precautions is the best way to consume cosmetics without harming your well-being!