Parabens: Easy Greening

Have you noticed an increasing number of labels on personal care products with the words “paraben-free”? Parabens are synthetic chemicals used as an antimicrobial preservative and are found in a staggering array of products, from hand soap to toothpaste. They are known hormone disruptors (more about this below) and have been found in the tissue of breast cancer tumors, but the FDA and mainstream cosmetics industry maintain that they are safe. What?! We set out to get a handle on the paraben puzzle—here’s what we found.

What are parabens?
Parabens, short for “para-hydroxybenzoate,” are a class of preservatives widely used in cosmetics and personal care products (as well as pharmaceuticals and food)—they are used to prevent bacteria, yeast and mold. There are six types of parabens most commonly used in personal care products: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben and benzylparaben. Unlike some dizzyingly complicated chemical names, parabens are easy to spot on product labels because they end in “paraben.”

What are hormone disruptors?
In the 1990s the scientific community became increasingly aware that some synthetic chemicals are able to interfere with the function of our hormones—these chemicals are called hormone disruptors (also called endocrine disruptors). With this discovery, many ingredients previously considered safe, such as parabens, were now being considered for their hormone disrupting potential. Hormone disruptors act by mimicking our natural hormones. Our bodies are “fooled” by these imitation hormones, which results in the corruption of our natural hormonal processes. Within the category of hormone disruptors are xenoestrogens, synthetic chemicals that mimic estrogen. A number of studies have shown that parabens fall into the xenoestrogens’ group; xenoestrogens may be linked to high rates of breast cancer, and reproductive problems in women and decreased sperm counts, prostate and testicular cancer in men. The FDA acknowledges that estrogenic activity in the body is associated with certain forms of breast cancer.

Parabens and breast cancer
Which brings us to a study published in 2004 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology that detected five types of intact parabens in 18 of 20 samples of breast tumors. The study discusses this finding in the context of the estrogen-like properties of parabens and the influence of estrogen on breast cancer. According to the lead researcher, Philippa Darbre, the chemical form of the parabens found indicated that they had been absorbed through the skin (via deodorants, lotion, and other personal care products). The presence of intact parabens in tumor tissue shows not only that these chemicals are absorbed through the skin, but that they also persist and accumulate in breast cancer tissue without? degradation. This is the study that most likely started the “deodorants cause breast cancer” scare—and while we take that risk very seriously, the study didn’t draw a firm connection between breast cancer and personal care products.

Safe or scary?
Both the FDA and the European Union have revisited the safety issue of parabens and have deemed them safe for consumers, but many people agree that more research needs to be conducted. Many people believe that there is enough evidence to warrant caution in the use of products containing parabens. Here’s our take. The level of parabens in one lotion may (or may not) be okay—but consider this: Parabens are found in shampoos, moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, sunscreens, topical pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, and many more personal care items. In fact, parabens are found in tens of thousands of personal care products. Parabens are just one type of xenoestrogen to which women are exposed, so we can only imagine both the cumulative effect and the interaction of parabens with other xenoestrogens, and with the body’s own estrogens – all of which affect endocrine function. Yipes.

Because of this, many companies have adopted a “precautionary principal” and have removed parabens from their products. With so many questions about parabens left unanswered, why not compare labels next time you’re shopping for personal care products? The paraben names are easy to spot, and a good ingredient to avoid. True parabens do extend the shelf life of a product. But, personally, my hormones are quite content as they are—they don’t need a flood of estrogen-costumed synthetic chemicals coming in to crash the party. Paraben-free is sounding better and better.

By Melissa Breyer, Producer, Care2 Green Living.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

LMj S.

1:38PM PST on Jan 9, 2013

Interesting info, thank you.

January 9
send a green star

1:37PM PST on Jan 9, 2013

Beauty I.

11:51PM PDT on Aug 21, 2012

i like this one...

August 21
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Dene G.

11:04AM PDT on Jun 12, 2012

@Elaine - well said - it's a refreshing change to see someone actually thinking for themselves on here, instead of the usual blind acceptance of anything that's written, without a moment's critical thinking!

June 12
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Elaine A.

8:39AM PDT on Jun 12, 2012

These are the same scare tactics used against Dow corning, who was unjustly sued for the use of silicone breast implants (Which BTW are still the preferred medically used form of reconstructive surgery due to a radical mastectomy) This kind of malicious attack on a corporation (Quite possible and unsurprising at best, brought forth by a rival competitor, to cause a great deal of revenue damage to a corporation as this tie a corporation up by the hands as it waits the endless and cost absorbency of the judicial system due law suits that have proceeded actual testing to determine the existence of such a danger. A sort of guilty before the verdict is rendered if you will, which is utterly disgusting and causes excellent companies to spent their proceeds and more importantly the growth margins into a gutted out building (Loss of company) what never was taken into account was the sheer intellect involved that any good medical or scientific personnel, worth their salt failed to do was to investigate the individuals propensity/Disposition towards these certain claimed diseases, i.e. Lupus ET AL. Familial histories of such diseases! What happened to Dow chemical was an atrocity of the highest acclaim and almost eradicated a company whose many venues of production were of an everyday presence and usefulness in most American homes. She, Dow corning is still in existence today but does not nor has she ever regained her empire status, which was a leader in the industry for goods via many

Brianna B.

3:22PM PDT on Jun 9, 2012

THanks

June 9
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Brenda T.

10:28AM PDT on Jun 7, 2012

Thanks for this valuable information.

June 7
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Mercedes P.

11:41AM PDT on May 24, 2012

Thank you!!

May 24
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Joe R.

12:06PM PST on Jan 22, 2012

Thanks.

January 22
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Bruce C.

8:21AM PDT on Apr 9, 2011

To anyone interested in avoiding personal care products containing hazardous or questionable chemicals I recommend the new New York Times best-seller: "The Healthy Home, Simple Truths to Protect Your Family From Hidden Household Dangers", by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz.