June 9, 2009
Parabens, What Really Is The Concern?
Parabens, what really is the concern?
Does your cosmetics and skin care products have parabens? You may see parabens labeled as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.
First, let’s review what are PARABENS? Parabens are a preservative used in foods, drugs and cosmetics for well over 50 years. Parabens are a relative low cost and common preservative. Given that, parabens are commonly used in many products there seems to a consensus over the years the products are safe for human use and consumption.
Parabens are absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and your skin. Your body will rid the parabens though urine. Most of the studies done on Parabens from 1960’s to the current time support some allergic reactions mostly on the skin. Sensitizations occurred especially when parabens were applied to damaged or broken skin.
In the past 10 years studies have been done that supported some toxicity in breast tissue. Parabens were found in cancer cells having built up toxicity. Let me clear this up. Parabens have not been linked to cancer as a cause to breast cancer. Parabens, however, were found in breast tissues that were found to be cancerous. The missing link or piece of the puzzle that has not been resolved is the relationship to cancer as the primary cause.
So what does all this mean? Parabens continue to be supported by the United States Food and Drug Administration as safe. According to the Breast Cancer Fund, information obtained through research showed “Parabens have been shown to be weak estrogen mimickers, binding to the cellular estrogen receptor (ER). They also increase the expression of genes that are usually regulated by estradiol and cause human breast tumor cells (MCF-7 cells) to grow and proliferate in vitro.”
It is not crystal clear evidence but worth following as this is usually the path taken when a product is deemed to be not in the best interest of the consumer.
Many companies have voluntarily removed Parabens from their cosmetic and skin care lines for this very reason for the benefit of the consumer. You as a consumer will need to make your own conclusion whether it is in your best interest to avoid cosmetics and skin care products free from Parabens.
I am sure we have not seen the last of parabens and the role of parabens in our products.
Take Care Everyone!
Ellie & Your Skin Care Team
Momentum Marketing Biz
262.853.6851
(Ellie is a Registered Nurse with a PASSION for helping individuals like you. I have spent the majority of my life helping people to reach the maximum potential for their life. I have studied and researched what it takes to feel healthy and achieve the best that life has to offer. Thank you for caring enough about your body to read the information.)
Sarah said,
June 13, 2009 at 10:13 am
Hi I think this is a fantastic blog, keep up the good work…