samedi 8 février 2014

Finding Paraben Free Skin Care Products

By Nelda Powers


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.

There is now a spirited debate on the health risk, if any, posed by these chemicals. There are naturally-occurring parabens, as well; for example, they are found in blueberries, supposedly one of the healthiest of foods. However, it is the man-made chemicals that are under scrutiny at the present time.

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.

Although some consumers are allergic to parabens, most people have no skin reaction to them, and most people do not exhibit allergic reactions to their presence in foods. However, those who feel that they pose a health risk say to avoid all man-made chemicals of this type. A partial list contains anything with ethyl, methyl, propyl, butyl, or heptyl in the name.

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.

Substitutes for these chemicals may not be any safer, so 'paraben-free' on the label should not give a false sense of security. Natural cosmetic and body product lines use vitamins, like E, or herbals, like rosemary oil, as preservatives. Grape seed extract, tea tree oil, and grapefruit seed extract are other things you might see on an ingredients list for a more natural cosmetic or lotion.

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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