Many new skincare and hair care products advertise the fact that they are paraben free, but the majority of the population has no clue what parabens are and why they should avoid them.
Parabens are preservatives commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products like shampoos, skin creams, shaving gels, and deodorants, which extend the shelf life of products. Many people have allergic reactions to these preservatives and experience problems such as skin rashes and irritation. Additionally, parabens have been shown to mimic the hormone estrogen in scientific experiments.
Despite the possible potential health risks associated with products containing parabens, parabens are commonly used in many skincare and hair care products because they are cheap and a highly effective preservative as compared to natural preservatives such as Grapefruit seed extract.
So should you steer away from parabens? If you drink diet sodas, smoke cigarettes, avoid physical activity, indulge in junk food on a semi regular basis, I think that avoiding parabens should not be high on your list of concerns. On the other hand, if you exercise regularly, avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, and eat lot of fresh, organic foods, paraben free products are the way to go. More information on "Green Beauty Products"
Posted by Maryam Zarkesh on August 21, 2006 4:04 PM
| Permalink
