Beware Of The P-Word!

PARABENS!!

Happy Wednesday, Golden Divas!

Ladies, in this post, I would like to talk about the P-Word those dreadful parabens that are plaguing some of our favorite makeup and hair products. If you haven’t heard parabens are creating quite a stir in the media, it’s a hot topic inflaming the world of beauty and haircare right now. Many of us don’t know what parabens are and why it is such a big deal!

I’m here to share with you the truth regarding parabens so that you can make the right decision to keep using the product or to discard it.

Divas, new ingredients are flooding the market every day, and since we have become conscious about what we put on our skin and in our hair, we have more options. At least I know I have since I have very sensitive skin.

‘Paraben-free’ ( we will talk about that a little later in my post) has become a buzzword, and more and more people are scanning the beauty aisles to pick products that do not contain parabens.

Okay, So You’re Probably Wondering, What are Parabens?

Technically, parabens are a chemical compound of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, that is used as preservatives, which was first introduced in the 1950s. Parabens are popular because they are gentle, non-sensitizing, and more effective than preservatives.
Most parabens that are added to our cosmetics are human-made and not naturally occurring. Naturally occurring parabens have been found in fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, cherries, and cucumbers of all places!

Parabens are used to prolong shelf life (products containing parabens can last for months and even years) in many health and beauty products by preventing the growth of mold and bacteria within them.

Unfortunately, those preservatives are very harsh to our skin and hair, and some of my favorite products for my hair and skin as much as I like it does the most damage to it.

So ladies be on the lookout when you’re purchasing your favorite brand of products because these ‘Suffix Boys’ are not playing!

Okay, now you know parabens are a group of chemical preservatives that are widely used in cosmetic products due to their excellent antimicrobial properties. From commercially available products such as the following and almost all cosmetic products contain parabens.

Cosmetics, Moisturizers, Shampoos, Shower gels
Lip balms, Leave-In-Serums, Creams, Antiperspirants
Lotions, Masks, Toothpaste. Food items
Detergent and Even medicine

Let me introduce you to the not-so-lovingly parabens that are wreaking habit on your hair and skin. I call them the suffix boys because you can easily spot them in the content of ingredients and when you do beware of the damage that they may cause to your hair and skin over time.

Butylparaben, Methylparaben
Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben
Ethylparaben

If you didn’t know, Now you know. These are the names on the list of ingredients in most cosmetic and skincare products. A single product can contain one or more types of parabens. So ladies, pay attention and start reading the ingredients because parabens are often used in combination with other preservatives to make sure that they can protect the product from a broad range of bacteria and microbes.

Now, The Question Is, Why are Parabens Thought To Be Bad For Us?

Researchers found that parabens get easily absorbed by your skin, and they stay in your body tissues and fluids.
Researchers also detected parabens in breast milk, serum, urine, and seminal fluid.
Parabens were also detected in the breast tissues of patients with breast cancer. One hypothesis links the increased incidence of breast cancer in the upper lateral breast area with the use of underarm deodorant (containing parabens).
Parabens are considered as xenoestrogens. In other words, these chemicals can mimic the hormone estrogen in your body. Parabens bind the estrogen receptors in your body. Compared to methylparaben and ethylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben have high estrogenic activity in the human body. This estrogenic activity may lead to breast cancer development.
Parabens can elevate cellular level damage caused by UV exposure, which may even cause skin cancer.
Parabens can also sensitize the skin, causing allergic reactions. A study found that ethylparaben used as an antifungal agent (5%) on human skin caused contact dermatitis.

Should You Stop Using Parabens?

The percentage of preservative in a formulation is generally tiny; however, to be on the safe side, there are many other preservatives now available, so it’s no longer necessary to use them; unless of course, you want too.

However, manufacturers are creating new and effective preservatives all the time, so there is a more excellent choice currently available.

Ladies, it’s all about taking the time to read the labels. I know you’re probably wondering if paraben-free and natural products are as effective. Although ‘Paraben is cheap to mass-market, there are so many synthetic-free products on the market that are just as effective.

You have options divas. Why use artificial ingredients which can cause irritation and stress, especially to sensitive skin types.

Now let me be very clear there are some beauty companies that say they use paraben-free ingredients in their products; however, I advise you to be very careful and do your research on every product.

In general, never take marketing and adverts at face value. With so much information available, it’s easy to educate ourselves on the label content of our beauty products.

These companies market themselves as a natural alternative, when, in fact, they contain other synthetic ingredients that may cause harm or irritation to the skin.

This is called ‘GREENWASHING!

Due to these reasons, many cosmetic and skincare brands shifted to “paraben-free” products. However, even though these products claim that they are paraben-free, they still use preservatives. Usually, alcohol, grapefruit seed extracts, or sorbate are used as preservatives.

Best Paraben-Free Products To Try

1. La Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer
This face moisturizer has SPF 30 and contains a blend of niacinamide and ceramide-3. It restores your skin, keeps it hydrated, and also maintains its barrier repair function.
2. Baebody Retinol Moisturizer Cream
This face moisturizer helps minimize the signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. It is lightweight and is absorbed quickly. Apart from retinol, it contains shea butter, green tea extracts, and vitamins B5 and E.
3. La Roche-Posay Purifying Foaming Cleanser
This is a daily face wash for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It removes excess oil from your face without disturbing its natural pH balance and affecting the protective barrier. It is fragrance-free, dermatologically-tested, and non-comedogenic.
4. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
This is an extra mild cleanser that is free of parabens, dyes, and harmful chemicals. It is suitable for eczema and rosacea-prone skin. It is dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free.
5. St. Ives Acne Control Apricot Scrub
This acne control face wash contains salicylic acid. It clears blackheads and prevents the occurrence of new ones. It gently exfoliates your skin and thoroughly cleanses the skin pores. It is paraben-free, dermatologist-tested, and non-comedogenic.

Is It Possible To Avoid Parabens?

Yes, but only to a certain extent. It is practically impossible to ditch every product that contains parabens. Hence, moderation is key.

If you use leave-in serums, lotions, masks, and antiperspirants avoid products containing parabens as these will transfer high concentration of these preservatives to your body. You can check for natural ingredients as alternatives.

Remember that a “paraben-free” label never makes a product “chemical-free.” It still contains some preservatives. Do your homework divas and check the number of parabens in products you use and try to keep it as low as possible to be safe.

Golden Divas, what do you think of parabens? Do you use paraben-free products? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Sources:
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/what-are-parabens/
https://thegoodhuman.com/what-are-parabens-and-why-should-you-avoid-them/
https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/skin/articles/a36356/what-are-parabens/