The Real Deal on Parabens

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So…Parabens.  No, I didn’t say paraffin, I said Paraben.  Paraffin is that stuff (soft wax) that you dip your hands in at the nail salon while you’re getting a manicure.  It hardens on your hands like Magic Shell on ice cream and then gets peeled off leaving your hands as soft as a baby’s a*%.

Parabens, on the other hand have been another buzzword over the last few years in hair care, cosmetics, skin care  and hair color, amongst other things.  What is a paraben you ask?  Most commonly seen as Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl or Butylparaben.  Parabens are a chemical food grade preservative.   They are found in HBA (health and beauty aids) ie. pharmaceuticals, shampoos, toothpaste, shaving cream, moisturizers as well as certain foods.

Yes food. Their purpose?  Anti bacterial, anti fungal properties to preserve products.

You don’t want products with preservatives you say?  Well be prepared to drastically limit the shelf life of any item you are wishing for.  Without preservatives, products will rot.  Now before you go telling me that your parabens are “natural”, let me stop you right there.  Methylparaben is found in blueberries, but ALL commercial parabens are synthetic.

So, based on all that, why the hype over parabens?  They sound pretty harmless don’t they?  Yes, on the surface they do.  However, parabens have been linked to breast cancer tumors.  Please note, I did NOT say that parabens cause breast cancer.  They have been found in a strong percentage of breast cancer tumors.  Additionally, parabens have the ability to mimic estrogen.  Estrogen has been known to play a role in breast cancer.  It is also believed that the estrogen mimic may play a role in early puberty in young girls.

Now, if your products are paraben-free or you are searching for paraben-free, what are manufacturers using in place of parabens?  Just like sulfate-free, you have to replace whatever it is that you take out.  Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is one example.  Tea Tree Oil is another, as well as other organic acids.  None of them sound sexy do they?  The truth is, no matter what you do or what you use, someone will always find a reason why it is bad for you or an ingredient inside is bad for you.  At the end of the day, I believe in everything in moderation.  Just remember though, what you put on your body goes in your body, and what you put in your body comes out, one way or another.

What do I mean?

I mean your skin is your largest living organ and it absorbs what you put on it.

What you put in your body will either be excreted or your body will revolt against you and cause disease.

Just be mindful.  Be aware.  Be educated, and remember to STAY educated by liking us on Facebook!

Regards,

Brandon Ranney