Parabens...steer clear!

Parabens are chemicals widely used as a preservative by cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies in everyday products used by most individuals in the United States. Mostly found in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, makeup and perfumes, their efficacy as preservatives, in combination with the low cost are two reasons they are so commonly found in these products. 

Some of the many common products containing parabens

However, this unfortunate chemical group is not banned from products. They are toxic and low concentrations have been found in breast cancer tumors. Another major concern is the fact that parabens mimic estrogen, which may be a factor in the increasing prevalence of early puberty in girls.

Despite these facts, the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries refuse to remove them from the products. They don't think there is enough information or studies proving the harm these chemicals are causing in our bodies. 

• Commonly found parabens are: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. 
• Less common parabens are: isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben

If it ends in paraben, please steer clear.

Here is a short excerpt from a recent article from Dr. Mercola:

By Dr. Mercola

New research has detected the presence of paraben esters in 99 percent of breast cancer tissues sampledⁱ.

The study examined 40 women who were being treated for primary breast cancer.

In 60 percent of cases, five of the different esters were present.

Parabens are chemicals with estrogen-like properties, and estrogen is one of the hormones involved in the development of breast cancer.

The study notes thatⁱⁱ :

"Variation was notable with respect to individual paraben esters, location within one breast and similar locations in different breasts.

Overall median values in nanograms per gram tissue for the 160 tissue samples were highest for n-propylparaben and methylparaben; levels were lower for n-butylparaben, ethylparaben  and isobutylparaben...

The source of the paraben cannot be identified, but paraben was measured in the 7/40 patients who reported never having used underarm cosmetics in their lifetime."

 For information on great products that don't contain parabens, visit: www.SimplyJenelle.com/Beauty.html.