BEAUTY
What Are Parabens In Skincare?
By SARA HALCUMB
You may have noticed a “paraben-free” label on products when you’re out shopping for cosmetics, soaps, deodorant, and skincare. As the largest organ of the body, it’s important to know what you’re putting on your skin every day, so here are some things that people don’t tell you about parabens.
What Are Parabens
Parabens have been added to skincare products since the 1920s as preservatives to prolong shelf life by staving off microorganisms. Parabens can also be found in foods, drinks, pharmaceuticals, hair-care products, and more.
Parabens In Skincare
If your skincare product contains parabens, you’ll be able to find that information on the product. Look for these common parabens: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isopropylparaben, butylparaben, and isobutylparaben.
Parabens & Your Health
The FDA currently doesn’t have any laws banning parabens in personal care items, but a study shows that parabens can act as “hormone disruptors” or endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These findings refer to the possible link between parabens, increased risk of breast tumors, and “problems related with reproductive systems.”
Banned in Countries
Due to the possible endocrine-disrupting behavior, in 2014, the European Commission banned five parabens: isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben, and pentylparaben. In 10 Southeast Asian countries, parabens have been banned for use in personal care items.