These days it's not difficult to find paraben free skin care products. Although most conventional body care contains these chemicals as preservatives, even mainstream manufacturers are responding to new safety concerns by eliminating this class of chemicals from their ingredients. Many consumers don't know what parabens are and have no idea why they might want to avoid them. The safety or danger of using this class of chemical compound is a subject for much debate today.
There are naturally occurring parabens, in blueberries for instance. However, the ones found in mainstream cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are synthesized in laboratories. They are compounds that contain alcohols and have bacteria and fungus killing effects. They are inexpensive and effective ingredients that have been used for decades with no obvious health concerns. However, new research revealed traces of these chemicals in cancer tumors.
Today there is much debate on the safety of these additives. The facts that they have been used for so long, that they are non-irritating, and that few people are allergic to them causes manufacturers to claim they have proved to be safe. Their presence in breast cancer tumor tissue makes others fear that they pose a health risk.
It may be the over-use of them that is the problem. They are added to shampoos, makeup, deodorants, moisturizers, shaving gel, soaps, sunscreens, and nail polish. This is only a partial list of products that consumers use daily that contain parabens. Sometimes one of these compounds is near the beginning of the list of ingredients, meaning that it makes up a good deal of the formula. These preservatives are among the most common of all chemicals used in industry.
Research into the safety of these chemicals have found that, in general, they are non-irritating and do not cause a reaction with continued use. However, there are many people who are allergic to anything with methy, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or heptyl in the name. Again, this is only a partial list of the many compounds in this class.
After finding traces of these chemicals in breast cancer tumors, researchers began to intensify safety tests. It is believed by some experts that they mimic natural estrogen and may disrupt the normal hormonal balance in the human body. They also may reduce testosterone and sperm production in males, and may increase the sensitivity to UV rays from the sun and heighten their aging effect on the skin. This is ironic, considering that they are used in many sunscreening products.
Chemical substitutes for parabens are not necessarily safer. After all, it might take years for the body to accumulate discernible and harmful levels of any chemical in tissues. Those who prefer to use only natural ingredients are turning to essential oils, like tea tree or rosemary, and vitamins like E to preserve products that sit on store and bathroom shelves. Some question the efficacy of the natural alternatives, and some consumers have allergic reactions or sensitivities to even natural things.
Remember also that, when choosing paraben free skin care products, a 'naturally derived' ingredient might have been processed into a harsh chemical. When deciding what to put on your skin, which can absorb many substances, you need to either trust your manufacturer or become an informed consumer.
There are naturally occurring parabens, in blueberries for instance. However, the ones found in mainstream cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are synthesized in laboratories. They are compounds that contain alcohols and have bacteria and fungus killing effects. They are inexpensive and effective ingredients that have been used for decades with no obvious health concerns. However, new research revealed traces of these chemicals in cancer tumors.
Today there is much debate on the safety of these additives. The facts that they have been used for so long, that they are non-irritating, and that few people are allergic to them causes manufacturers to claim they have proved to be safe. Their presence in breast cancer tumor tissue makes others fear that they pose a health risk.
It may be the over-use of them that is the problem. They are added to shampoos, makeup, deodorants, moisturizers, shaving gel, soaps, sunscreens, and nail polish. This is only a partial list of products that consumers use daily that contain parabens. Sometimes one of these compounds is near the beginning of the list of ingredients, meaning that it makes up a good deal of the formula. These preservatives are among the most common of all chemicals used in industry.
Research into the safety of these chemicals have found that, in general, they are non-irritating and do not cause a reaction with continued use. However, there are many people who are allergic to anything with methy, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or heptyl in the name. Again, this is only a partial list of the many compounds in this class.
After finding traces of these chemicals in breast cancer tumors, researchers began to intensify safety tests. It is believed by some experts that they mimic natural estrogen and may disrupt the normal hormonal balance in the human body. They also may reduce testosterone and sperm production in males, and may increase the sensitivity to UV rays from the sun and heighten their aging effect on the skin. This is ironic, considering that they are used in many sunscreening products.
Chemical substitutes for parabens are not necessarily safer. After all, it might take years for the body to accumulate discernible and harmful levels of any chemical in tissues. Those who prefer to use only natural ingredients are turning to essential oils, like tea tree or rosemary, and vitamins like E to preserve products that sit on store and bathroom shelves. Some question the efficacy of the natural alternatives, and some consumers have allergic reactions or sensitivities to even natural things.
Remember also that, when choosing paraben free skin care products, a 'naturally derived' ingredient might have been processed into a harsh chemical. When deciding what to put on your skin, which can absorb many substances, you need to either trust your manufacturer or become an informed consumer.
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You can visit www.theonlyskincare.com for more helpful information about Paraben Free Skin Care Products.
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