Parabens are a group of chemical preservatives that are used to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast in cosmetics and personal care products. Although these preservatives may be effective at keeping bacteria and mold away from personal care products, they may also cause a number of health issues.

Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption and are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with your body’s natural balance of hormones. Parabens mimic the hormone estrogen, which can lead to an increased risk of cancer and other health conditions. Parabens can be absorbed through the skin and have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive issues.

They can be found in a variety of cosmetics, including makeup, facial moisturizers, shaving gels, shampoos, conditioners and cleansers. They are also known to be skin irritants, and can lead to contact dermatitis or eczema upon contact.

How to identify parabens on an ingredient label?

Parabens have many different names, but they usually end in “-paraben”. Here are some of the names you may find on an ingredient label:

• Methylparaben (E218)
• Propylparaben (E216)
• Butylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Isobutylparaben
• Isopropylparaben
• Sodium methylparaben
• Sodium propylparaben
• Other ingredients ending in -paraben

It is also important to check the expiration date on skincare products. Parabens may not be as effective in preserving a product after its expiration date, so it’s best to discard them and replace with a new one. This will help you ensure that your skin is receiving only the safest ingredients and avoiding any potential risks associated with parabens.

Scientific Findings

The scientific community has conducted numerous studies on parabens and their effects on human health. Studies have found that parabens can be absorbed through the skin, leading to an increased risk of cancer, hormone disruption, developmental toxicity, and reproductive issues.

One study found that levels of paraben in breast tissue were significantly higher than those found in other tissues, indicating that parabens may accumulate in the body over time. This is especially concerning for women who use cosmetics and personal care products regularly, as their bodies may be exposed to higher doses of parabens than those found in other tissues. This is commonly associated with breast cancer.

Another study found that methylparaben can alter the levels of hormone-like chemicals in the body, leading to a decreased fertility rate and increased risk of cancer. These results are concerning, as they suggest that parabens can cause long-term health issues if used regularly.

New studies are emerging that suggest a connection between paraben exposure and endocrine disruption. Endocrine disruption is when natural hormones in the body are thrown off balance. This can result in a variety of health problems such as reproductive issues, metabolic disorders, and cognitive impairment.

A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that higher levels of parabens in the urine corresponded to lower levels of two hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are important for reproductive health, and their disruption may lead to infertility or other reproductive problems.

Another study also linked paraben exposure to adverse reproductive outcomes, such as decreased testosterone levels in men and an increased risk of premature ovarian insufficiency in women. This suggests that parabens have the potential to disrupt normal hormone balance and can lead to serious health issues over time.

Another finding suggests that parabens may also be linked to obesity. A study found a correlation between higher urinary levels of parabens and an increased risk of obesity in adolescents. This indicates that paraben exposure may have a negative effect on metabolism, leading to weight gain and other health issues.

The use of personal care products that contain parabens, particularly methylparaben, can contribute to the damage of skin cells caused by UV radiation and disrupt the rate of cell proliferation (cell growth).

Consistent use of methylparaben in everyday applications can result in higher concentrations as the product is known to build up in the body over time, due to the extremely lengthy amount of time it takes for these chemicals to metabolize. When combined with other estrogenic chemicals, parabens have the potential to affect the development of malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, due to their estrogenic and genotoxic activities.

What to do?

Given the evidence that has emerged about parabens, it is important to limit your exposure as much as possible. To do this, look for natural alternatives when choosing skin and hair care products. Many companies are now offering paraben-free options that still provide the same benefits with a lower risk of harm.

You can also look for “paraben-free” labels on products when you shop, as this indicates that the product is free from any form of parabens. Additionally, you may want to avoid products that have long lists of ingredients that you don’t recognize, as these may contain parabens.

It is also important to be aware of the expiration date on cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens become less effective at preserving a product after its expiration date, so it’s best to discard old products and replace them with new ones. This will help ensure that your skin is receiving only the safest ingredients and avoiding any potential risks associated with parabens.

By following these simple steps, you can reduce your exposure to parabens and protect your health in the long run. As more research emerges on the effects of parabens on human health, it is important to stay informed and make conscious decisions about what products we use.

Unfortunately, nearly every product in the stores contain some sort of toxin, and reading the labels gets exhausting. So we did it for you, and have created our NonTox Shop, a selection of essential products that everybody needs guaranteed to be made of only natural ingredients. It’s an easy way for you to make the switch to natural, non-toxic products in your day to day life.

So essential, everyone uses them! We endorse only products from our most favorite, tried and tested brands that we fell in love with, and we know you will too! Send them as gifts to a friend or a loved one. What greater way to have the opportunity to educate someone, and to let them know you care!

How can we avoid parabens?

The best way to avoid parabens is to read labels carefully and choose products that do not contain them. Many companies now offer personal care products labeled “paraben-free” or “no added parabens”, which can help you avoid potential risks associated with these chemicals.

Check the Expiration Date

Parabens are used as preservatives in many cosmetic and personal care products to increase their shelf life. However, after a product’s expiration date has passed, the parabens become less effective at preserving it. This means that expired products may contain higher levels of parabens than those found in freshly manufactured products. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to expiration dates

It is alsoimportant to choose natural or organic products whenever possible. These products are more likely to be free of parabens and other potentially dangerous chemicals, making them a safer choice for your skin.

Shop NonTox

Today, almost every product on store shelves is filled with toxins, making it overwhelming to decipher labels. That’s where our NonTox Shop comes in – we’ve done the hard work for you. Our shop offers a thoughtfully curated selection of essential products made with natural ingredients. It provides an effortless way for you to transition to non-toxic and natural alternatives in your daily life, without the need to scrutinize labels or worry about the harmful effects these chemicals can have on your well-being.

Plus, our NonTox Shop isn’t just beneficial for yourself; send them as gifts to a friend or loved one and help them make the switch to natural products too! Our shop is full of top-rated items from our favorite, tried and tested brands, so you can be sure that every product is safe and of the highest quality. So go ahead and check out our NonTox Shop today, for all your essential needs!

Which Other Products Are Parabens Found In? 

Parabens can be found in many other products, such as shampoos, deodorants, make-up, and household cleaning products. They are used as preservatives to help increase the shelf life of these products but may have adverse health effects when exposed to for long periods of time. That is why it’s important to read labels carefully and choose paraben-free products when possible.

Parabens can also be found in a variety of food items such as baked goods, canned foods, and processed meats.

Cleaning is not clean, either! Parabens are found in the most popular brand name cleaning products from dish soap, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and air fresheners. Watch out!