Chemistry Set: Parabens

Chemistry Set

The What, Why & Controversy of Parabens

Sad, but true: unless you’ve got a degree in chemistry, you probably have very little clue what is in the beauty products that you use every day. Few of us have the time (or inclination) to analyze the laundry list of mostly unpronounceable names on the ingredients in our makeup, skin care, hair care and bath and body products. And this is not a new phenomenon – chemicals, including parabens, have been used for nearly a decade in the beauty industry, but the buzz surrounding their safety is a white-hot topic lately. And though it seems like paraben-free beauty alternatives are everywhere, your use or non-use of them is still a personal choice.

Parabens: What They Are, Why They’re Used

Parabens are chemicals used to preserve the longevity, or shelf-life, of beauty products and foods and allow them to resist extreme heat and cold. They are, and have long been, the most commonly used preservatives in the beauty industry, and are normally used in quite low levels and considered to be safe. However, questions arise regarding the safety of other types, including propylparaben, methylparaben and butylparaben. Because combining preservatives can give better protection against bacteria and microorganisms that can taint our products, mixing different types of parabens (including the questionable ones) is common.

Where You’ll Find Them

You’re most likely to see parabens on the ingredient lists of makeup, shampoos and conditioners, skin care products, sunscreen, soaps, anti-perspirants/deodorants and even toothpaste. They are easy to spot: Just look for anything that ends with “paraben.” Because a quick inventory of your beauty arsenal will likely shock you with its prevalence of parabens, it can be overwhelming to consider ridding your life of them. And, it’s worth noting that even if you do make a clean paraben-sweep, there are still many other potentially-threatening chemicals in the majority of beauty products that would still be present, and are often shrouded by confusing names, chemicals such as phthalates, the estrogen-mimicking endocrine system-disruptors, and sodium laurel sulfate, which gives shampoos and soaps their foaming and sudsing quality.

Why They’re Under Fire

Although there is no concrete, scientific evidence to prove a link between parabens and breast cancer, many Americans are choosing to play it safe and switching to paraben-free products. There are studies that show that there may be a paraben-cancer connection due to the disruption they cause to the body’s hormones and endocrine system, but again, the proof of a direct link has yet to be made. In the meantime, many new paraben-free beauty brands are launching every month, and countless others are clearing their existing products of parabens.

How To Go Paraben-Free

Just as giving your home a “green” makeover doesn’t happen overnight, if you choose to avoid parabens, there’s no reason to be wasteful and throw out every product you own. As you use items up, look for a paraben-free replacement. Many beauty websites, including Sephora.com, have special designations for paraben-free products to make them easier to spot. In your search, don’t get confused by the terms “natural,” “organic,” or the ambiguous “green.” These words aren’t interchangeable – a paraben-free product does not have to be organic, and vice versa. And, unfortunately, “natural” and “green” are basically meaningless marketing tools in today’s market, since there are no regulations to define their ingredients.

Paraben-free skin and hair products are much easier to find than paraben-free makeup, but cosmetic companies are starting to catch up now that the demand for them is so significant. The latecomer to the paraben-free game is mascara and other eye makeup items, as effective preservatives in this category are vital to keep harmful bacteria away from your eyes; Be cautious when trying out mascaras that claim to be “natural” so you know what you’re exposing them to.

Do keep in mind that even paraben-free products may contain a different type of preservative to make it safer, last longer and resist mold and bacterial growth, and you may be sensitive to them. And, be safe by being particularly aware of expiration dates, as paraben-free means a shorter shelf life. I should know better, but though I’d never consider eating food that has spoiled, I’ve ignored the expiration date on many a beauty product. Don’t do it!

Just like the choice to go vegan, go green or go gluten-free is a personal choice, so is going paraben-free. The most important thing is to be just as aware of what we put on our skin as what we put in our bodies.