From the minty toothpaste you use in the morning to the shampoo you cleanse with in the evening to the lipstick you paint on for date night and the lube you might use later that night, the majority of cosmetic products we use (and 90% of most grocery items) contain parabens, a.k.a. chemical preservatives that prevent products with high water content from rotting.
Parabens are particularly prominent in products with high quantities of water in order to prevent the growth of bacteria and microbes like shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorants, facial cleansers, and body scrubs. They are artificially added to products in order to prolong shelf life, reduce manufacturing costs, and maximize profits.
Why are Parabens harmful?
While it seems like a great idea for everyone in theory, since minimizing the number of monthly drugstore visits is how we quantify “adulting” these days, the truth is that research in the 1990’s established that parabens are xenoestrogens, able to mimic estrogen and cause hormone disruption, and other reproductive health issues. And yet, they are becoming more and more prevalent each day.
It is estimated that women expose themselves to 168 chemicals every day, simply from their daily cosmetic and hygiene routine… and most of these products are unregulated. Women are largely unaware of what they’re introducing into their bodies and what the effects are, beyond temporary beauty.
Almost 13,000 chemicals are used in cosmetic products, yet only about 10 percent have been evaluated for safety by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). By law, cosmetic companies are not required to run any required tests or to publish any safety information; in fact, they don’t have to provide the FDA or public with any health information, meaning almost any product can hit the market and with the right marketing, it’s chemical make up can be ignored.
Chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and parabens have been found more commonly in breast cancer tissue. Recent research evaluated on WebMD has even found that certain parabens can spur the growth of certain cancer cells. Researchers and health advocates have since pointed to the rising incidence of breast cancer and male testicular cancer, asking whether it is directly related to the ubiquity of these chemicals in over the counter products. For example, out of the 1,000 carcinogens that the EU has banned, the US has only banned 9 of them.
Parabens at current levels in cosmetic products have been shockingly deemed “acceptable” by the industry itself and the FDA, with its hands tied, has justified these levels by arguing that paraben “estrogenic activity is much lower than the body’s naturally occurring estrogen” and thereby doesn’t cause harm in the low dosage contained in each product. The issue is that most people use dozens of products each day, multiple times a day, which the FDA hasn’t accounted for.
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Organic Beauty essential products
Allergic Reactions to Parabens
There are also people who develop allergies or negative reactions to chemicals over time based on continued usage. That’s the main reason we developed our line of organic cotton beauty products . It’s not just the products being applied that can be harmful but also the tools being used to apply them that cause an allergic reaction. Something as simple as a cotton ball can contain residues of pesticides and dioxins created in the cotton cultivation and bleaching process. Choosing an organic cotton makeup application product to complement your choice of paraben-free personal care products, makes for the softer and safer daily hygiene experience.
We know all too well how many people suffer from dermatitis and other skin irritations. Chemically induced sensitivities can be much more serious than periodic rashes. Multiple chemical sensitivity disorder is also sometimes referred to as ‘environmental intolerance’, arguably caused by continued exposure to the toxins and carcinogens contained in everyday environmental pollutants from hairspray to carpet cleaner. While this is a rare condition, the fact is that the conditions for this illness are increasing.
We encourage you to educate yourself on alternative clean products to add to your daily favorites and to help avoid irritation or unnecessary exposure to chemicals. There are plenty of natural makeup and hygiene paraben-free brands that have made a commitment to excluding known carcinogens from their products and as for your lady products, be sure to check out our line of all-natural, cotton, chemical-free products including organic cleansing pads, organic tampons, natural sanitary pads and more! Stay beautiful, inside and out, without any added chemicals.