Let’s Talk: Paraben Safety!
No doubt by this point you’ve seen skincare, makeup, and/or haircare products, usually ~all natural~ ones, with the label “Paraben Free.” If you haven’t, take notice and see how many you spot in your day to day experiences in the beauty aisle. More and more companies are creating paraben free products after a great deal of controversy arose regarding whether or not they are damaging to human health.
But what are parabens, and what are they doing in our skincare products?
Essentially, parabens (most commonly listed as methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben on cosmetic labels) are preservatives intended to protect your products from bacteria, fungus, and general decay over time. They are extremely commonplace in everyday products ranging from your skincare to your nail polish because they keep the bad stuff out and maintain the integrity of the good stuff inside.
People are concerned about long-term paraben safety in human use because there haven’t been very many studies conducted regarding how dangerous they might be. However, an FDA article (linked here) states that at this time, there is NO INFORMATION confirming the negative effects on human health.
Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t harmful, it just means that it hasn’t been proven yet and people are concerned about it, and rightfully so! We all have the right to ensure that the products we use are safe. Consumers and brands alike are demanding more testing and experimentation in order to confirm the safety of these ingredients, which I definitely can’t argue against.
Anyway, don’t get too concerned yet, because there are ~natural~ alternatives to parabens, but unfortunately they have been shown to be less effective at preserving products, so if you are using products that contain alternatives to parabens (such as grapefruit seed extract), make sure you’re storing the products effectively (out of direct sunlight, in a cool/dry area, etc.) and that you’re getting rid of them when the label tube or bottle says to!!! Be nice to your faces, as always.
What do you think about these controversial ingredients? Are they to be avoided at all costs? Or do we just need more research? Let me know, I want to hear what you think, and what products you are using!
