As if bad hair days weren't enough, according to the folks at IdealBite.com (leading source of clever eco-living ideas for people and the planet) we can now add weight gain, hormone disruption, and breast cancer to the list of possible side effects associated with parabens - a chemical preservative and common ingredient found in shampoo, lotions, and many other personal care products.
What Are Parabens?
If you've ever read the back of your shampoo bottle, you've no doubt seen parabens listed among the ingredients; butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, isobutylparaben and propylparaben are found in everything from makeup remover and shampoo to shaving cream and toothpaste. These chemicals act as preservatives, extending a product's shelf life by inhibiting bacterial growth.
Parabens are used in tens of thousands of products, and are even found in many items – even some processed foods – that claim to be "natural" or "hypoallergenic" (buzz terms that aren't governed by federal standards or definitions).
Why Are Parabens Harmful?
Parabens' chemical structure is strikingly similar to the hormone estrogen; in fact, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that all parabens have been proven to have endocrine-disrupting effects. When paraben-laced products are applied to your skin, they are absorbed into your body and may be mistaken for estrogen, disrupting the endocrine system, and too much estrogen – or estrogen mimickers – can cause big problems, including weight gain, fluid retention and depression, and possibly even cancer.
Parabens & Breast Cancer
Researchers are also investigating what role estrogen may play as a culprit in the development of breast cancer: In 2004, scientists in the United Kingdom detected parabens in 18 of 20 breast cancer tumors they studied, suggesting a link between parabens and breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Fund indicates that parabens have also been found in almost all urine samples examined from a demographically diverse sample of U.S. adults.
Parabens & Physical and Reproductive Developmental Abnormalities
Parabens have been linked to several other hormone-related health issues, including abnormal fetal development in pregnant women, and abnormal development of male reproductive systems.
Read on
Parabens & Weight Gain
Estrogen also helps to regulate the activity of fat cells, meaning that yes, it's possible parabens in your shampoo are kick-starting your fat cells, and in turn making you fat.
Parabens Threaten the Environment
Besides being risky to your health, parabens pose environmental risks. Washed off in the shower or at the beach, they can accumulate in waterways and soil, and disrupt the hormones in animals. Scientists have documented hundreds of animals with genetic defects, such as frogs with extra legs, which they say could be the result of paraben pollution.
Paraben-Free Beauty Products
Fortunately, more and more products are wearing the "paraben-free" tagline on their sleeve (or bottle). The gurus over at Ideal Bite, have been pushing the paraben issue for a while now. Co-founders Jen Boulden and Heather Stephenson were kind enough to divulge their favorite paraben-free personal care options; here are their favorites plus a few others:
- Hair: John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Reconstructing Shampoo; Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Conditioner and Styling Gel
- Nails: Peacekeeper Nail Paint
- Lips: Peacekeeper Lip Paint
- Eyes: Alima Pearluster Eyeshadow; Dr. Hauschka Kajal Eyeliners; Lavera Mascara
- Eye Makeup Remover: Avene Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
- Face (Wash): Jason Apricot Scrubble, Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel
- Face Cream: Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème
- Face Makeup: Alima Cosmetics Transparent Powder, Stila Cosmetics Perfecting Concealer, Stila Cosmetics Perfecting Foundation, Burt's Bees Vanishing Facial Powder
- Body Lotion: Blooming Lotus Massage Lotion Bliss Blend, Desert Essence Body Lotion
- Shower: Collective Wellbeing Charcoal Body Wash, Alba Passion Fruit Body Wash
- Sunscreen: NewCo Sunblock, Lavera Sun Spray
- Deodorants: Alba Clear Enzyme Deodorant; The Crystal Stick Deodorant
- Shaving: Aubrey Organics Shaving Cream
