Posted on July 11 2016
Simply stated, parabens are a type of preservative used in cosmetic products. The most common parabens used in the market today are methylparaben, propylparaben & butlparaben.
According to the FDA, preservatives such as parabens may be used in cosmetics to protect them against microbial growth.
In other words, cosmetics products today utilize chemical ingredients to ensure that the product can sustain its shelf life. Unfortunately, in the last decade, research has linked health problems with the use of parabens on the skin. Parabens are chemicals that have the ability to mimic estrogen, the female sex hormone. A substance that mimics this hormone causes negative effects on our body, especially for women, leading to unwanted, and, oftentimes, dangerous, health issues.
But what if you want to wear makeup and protect yourself from unnecessary chemicals? Are there alternatives available out there?
The great news: there ARE alternatives available!
In the world of natural cosmetics, we use all natural preservatives such as tocopherol, (known as Vitamin E) to preserve the product for a longer shelf life.
Still, you should always check the label to see the manufacturer's recommendation for the products' shelf life.