What Are Parabens?
Parabens are synthetic chemicals used as preservatives in many beauty and household products worldwide. They appear on ingredient lists with names such as: isobutylparaben, butylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparabens. Added to many formulas to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria, parabens are what help prolong the shelf-life of cosmetics. Parabens have been around since the 1920’s, but unfortunately, in more recent years, science has linked parabens to a host of serious health and environmental issues.
Why Should You Avoid Them?
Contact Dermatitis
Parabens are known to be potential allergens, and repeated exposure to them can lead to contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals. Contact dermatitis is characterized by redness, itching, swelling, and sometimes blistering of the skin. It can occur shortly after exposure to products containing parabens or develop gradually over time with continued use.
Disruption of the Skin Barrier
Parabens can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function, which serves to protect against external irritants and pathogens. This disruption can lead to increased skin permeability and susceptibility to irritation from other ingredients in skincare products or environmental factors.
Hormone disruption
Research has shown that parabens can penetrate our skin barrier, enter our bloodstream, and cause disruption of our endocrine system by mimicking hormones like oestrogen. This disruption of our body’s natural hormone signals can cause chemical imbalances within our body that can affect fertility leading to reproductive and developmental issues. Studies have also suggested that parabens could play a role in the development of human breast, ovary, and testicular cancer, with parabens having been detected in breast tumours, which has led to concerns about their potential role in the development of breast cancer. For these reasons, many countries have banned the use of some parabens in personal care products.
Environmental impact
Parabens can enter water bodies through various routes, including wastewater discharges from sewage treatment plants, runoff from land applications of personal care products, and direct disposal of unused products down drains. Once in water, parabens can accumulate and spread through aquatic environments, potentially affecting ecosystems downstream.
Parabens have the potential to bioaccumulate in living organisms, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Studies have shown that parabens can have toxic effects on aquatic organisms, including fish, algae, and invertebrates, even at low concentrations. These effects can include reproductive abnormalities, developmental defects, and disruptions to hormone function, which can ultimately impact ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Accumulation in the body
While limited quantities of parabens are considered harmless and are not regulated by the FDA, the problem lies in repeated exposure with daily use of certain formulas. Studies have shown that parabens can accumulate in the body over time and may have a cumulative effect. This means that even small amounts of exposure over a long period could potentially be harmful. Parabens are easily absorbed into the skin, being introduced into the system even after just one application. This is a cause for concern considering they are very often used in products that come into direct contact with the skin such body lotions and deodorants. One 2018 study found teenage girls who regularly wore makeup tested positive for 20x the normal amount of propylparaben compared to those who did not or rarely wore makeup.
Why are parabens still used?
You may ask: “Why do companies continue to use parabens if they are so bad for us and the environment?”. One major reason is because they are cheap to manufacture, which ultimately means bigger profits!
Given the damage that can be caused to the endocrine system, reproductive system, and the environment, long-chain parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, butyl-, isopropyl- and propylparaben) should not be used in personal care or cosmetic products.
Are preservatives needed in skincare products?
While ‘preservative-free’ may sound appealing, the reality is that it can actually be quite problematic. If a product is oil-based, then it may not require preservatives as oils typically do not provide the conditions necessary for bacteria, yeast, and fungus to grow. However, if a product is water-based, then it is highly unlikely that it can be preserved without the use of some kind of preservative. If a brand claims that their water-based product is 100% preservative-free, it may be a sign that they are not being entirely truthful, or that they lack knowledge about preservatives. Without a preservative, a cream can quickly become a breeding ground for mould, bacteria, and other forms of microbial growth, which can be harmful to the skin and your health. This is especially true for natural products, as they can be particularly attractive to bacteria. In fact, an unpreserved cream can be even more dangerous than a cream that contains the worst preservatives.
Overall, preservatives are needed in skincare products to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that can cause skin infections and other health issues. Without preservatives, skincare products would have a very short shelf life and could become contaminated quickly. However, it is important to choose preservatives that are safe and effective and to use them in the appropriate concentrations to ensure that they do not cause skin irritation or other adverse reactions.
What can be used instead of parabens?
There are several natural ingredients with preservative properties that are commonly used in skincare formulations and are effective in preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi in skincare products.
Two such ingredients we use in several of our Scenturie Natural Skincare products are benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid. These two ingredients are often used in natural and organic skincare products to provide broad-spectrum preservative protection against bacteria and other microorganisms. Benzyl alcohol is a natural ingredient derived from various plant sources, including jasmine, ylang-ylang, and cinnamon. Dehydroacetic acid is permitted by Ecocert as a synthetic preservative in ecological and organic certified cosmetics. Benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid are safe for use in cosmetics and skincare products and approved for use by regulatory bodies such as the FDA, EU, Ecocert, Cosmos, and Bio-Gro worldwide. Benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid have antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms in skincare products, which helps to extend the shelf life of natural and organic skincare products. They are effective at preserving skincare products while also providing additional benefits for the skin.
It’s important to remember that everything we put onto our skin is either absorbed by our bodies or washed down the drain back into the environment, so it makes good sense to buy products that don’t cause harm to either. Always patch-test new products, especially if you have sensitive skin, and consult with a dermatologist if you have any concerns about specific ingredients.
