Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Finding Paraben Free Skin Care Products

By Nelda Powers


Many people purchase face creams, lotions and so forth in order to keep their skin looking healthy. You may have seen more products labelled as paraben free skin care products. You may wonder what parabens are and why you would want to purchase something that does not contain them.

A paraben is essentially a preservative that is added to numerous everyday items. They have been used since the Fifties in order to prevent bacterial, fungal and other forms of growth in order to prolong the shelf life of a wide range of goods. As well as lotions and creams they can also be added to washing powder, food and a number of other items that people purchase and use on a daily basis.

This may make some people wonder why this is a problem. Unfortunately parabens have been linked with a number of health problems. While studies are still ongoing increasingly there have been more reports linking the presence of these preservatives with the potential increased threat of cancer.

One of the oddest side effects of items that contain parabens is that in the long term they are not good for the skin. It may seem strange but over time they can actually create a drying effect. This then means you get the kind of ageing effect that is the precise opposite of why you would want to purchase the product in the first place!

It is also important to be aware that products will not say that they contain a paraben. They will usually be listed under the list of ingredients as butylparaben or methylparaben. If you see these names on the ingredients list and you do not want something that contains a paraben then these are the brands to avoid.

Fortunately there are plenty of organic and other brands that use natural ingredients and do not use additional preservatives. While this may mean they have a shorter shelf life and some may be more expensive you can be sure that they are naturally sourced. However do not simply look for a brand that says it contains Vitamin E or other natural ingredients. Look to see if it specifically says that it is free from parabens so that you are sure it does not contain them.

Naturally the quality of these brands can vary too and it is worth checking to see what is available in your price range. Major brands and independent stores can all offer lotions and other products that do not contain any form of preservative. What you choose depends on the quality and whether or not it is appropriate for you. For example a toner is often better than a moisturiser if you have an oily skin type.

In simple terms you should look for brands that clearly state that they sell paraben free skin care products. The best way to be sure of this is to look for organic brands or brands that do not use preservatives. Look online for more information on the various brands as well as customer feedback and reviews to compare the different types available and to find the best ones available for you in your price range.




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