An Easy Guide To Understanding What Parabens Are
Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in, amongst other things, cosmetics. This article will explain what they are, what products you should avoid them in and why it’s worth avoiding them, so if that seems interesting, keep reading.
What do parabens do?
Firstly, let’s look at what parabens actually are. Parabens are actually a class of chemicals and there are many types. They all, however, have the same effect: they discourage bacteria and microbes from settling on your skin. This sounds like a good thing, but you need to consider how parabens work for this to make sense. The reason that we would want any cosmetics or skincare to be paraben-free is that, in order to work properly, they need to be able to penetrate your skin and absorb into it.
Here’s where the problem arises: in order for a chemical like this to do so, it needs to be small enough and oily enough not to repel water. Parabens are both of these things and so when you find them in products designed for your skin, they will absorb right into it and infiltrate every nook and cranny there is (and by extension, quite probably infiltrate your bloodstream if you’re using creams or shower gels). The concern here is that large quantities of parabens can imitate estrogen in the body, causing hormonal imbalances which have been linked to certain forms of cancer.
What products should I avoid parabens in?
As you can probably imagine, this is basically any product designed for the face or skin, but especially so when it comes to water-based cosmetics like concealers, branded makeup removers, and toners. It is very common amongst these types of products because they are designed to interact with your skin. For example, if you go to a paraben free soap site, don’t just check the packaging, check the whole ingredient list and make sure you are buying the product that has all the necessary health-related properties. These paraben-free products will usually have far fewer chemicals that could damage your body in them. You may also find that male versions of some women’s branded skincare items use parabens too but in smaller quantities. Be aware also that parabens are typically used in combination with other ingredients, so that is why checking the list is so important.
What are some safe product ingredients to look for?
It’s best to look for ingredients that are naturally antibacterial and antifungal, so you can be sure they won’t cause any damage. Some good ones include Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, and Tea Tree Oil. They are all ingredients that are good for your skin. There’s plenty of info on the net, so you should be able to find some reputable sites with articles about parabens. There are quite a few articles out there, but they do have biases towards different points of view. When consulting these, always consider what they say and come up with your own conclusion. For example, just because something says one thing doesn’t mean it’s wrong or even right, so research is always the best thing you can do for your health.
It is a known fact that objects or ingredients that go into contact with your skin can have an effect on it. This is why it’s always better to use products that you know are safe, and parabens can be harmful in large quantities. So if you want the best for yourself, try looking for safe products instead.
