The Problem with Parabens

As part of my all over detox I have been actively avoiding damaging products in skincare for a while now.  The most pervasive are definitely parabens. Nearly all mainstream skincare today uses parabens as preservatives. They are inexpensive and effective antibacterial preservatives but they are really bad for your health!

The United States has recognized the risk to humans from parabens so they have regulated the concentration allowed in each product - however the damage comes from continued use and the amount of products we use with parabens in them... even toothpaste and perfume often have parabens!

Luckily parabens are eliminated quickly from the body and become harmful only through daily exposure. Because they don’t stay in the body for long, avoiding them can lead to quick health benefits and limit any damage already done.  They have been linked to breast, skin and prostate cancer. Health risks include rashes, headaches, liver damage, kidney damage, and increased UVB-mediated DNA damage.  Parabens have a similar molecular structure to estrogen and easily penetrate the skin. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption lists parabens as a category 1 substance, shown to be an endocrine disruptor.

One of the biggest concerns about parabens is the fact that they are found concentrated amounts in breast cancer tissue. Some breast cancer are estrogen sensitive, and with parabens upsetting the bodies delicate estrogen balance parabens are implicated in the development and growth of tumors.  During treatment, doctors usually attempt to decrease estrogen levels in the body, so the tumor does not get extra encouragement in its growth. More breast cancers are also being found in the upper, outer quadrant of the breast, near where deodorant and anti-perspirants are applied, most of which contain parabens.

Happily there are a lot of alternatives out there, and apart from on fragrances (with their trade secret ingredient lists), parabens have to be labeled clearly, so it is fairly easy to avoid them.  I have already reviewed a few skincare products I use and like.  I'm always looking for more!