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The Dangers Of Parabens

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Guest Post by Contributing Author: Jasmine Bass
What do you know about PARABENS? Let me tell you, they are not nice and should be avoided at all costs… Read on and I’ll tell you more!

So, What Are Parabens?  

Parabens are man-made chemicals used in most cosmetic products. If you are a label-reader, you may have seen them as methylparabens, propylparabens, or butylparabens, just to name a few. Their main purpose is to preserve and protect product like make-up, lotion, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and even some topical medications.

Basically, they allow these un-natural products to have a long shelf life and are the cheapest form of protection the companies that manufacture them can buy. These parabens protect against micro-organisms and mold. While common preservatives like these may not raise much concern for most consumers… I think you should take a closer look at their devastating effects on the human body.
 

Parabens Have Cause for Concern

 

 

So you may be wondering… “What can one little chemical do that I should be worried? Everyone uses these products daily. Is it really that bad?”
The answer is yes! Parabens really are that bad. Let me give you a glimpse of what these chemicals effect.
  • Hormones
  • Endocrine System
  • Immune System
  • Fetal Developmental Disorders
  • Reproductive Disorders
  • Premature Aging
  • Estrogen Dominance (in both males and females)
  • Breast Cancer
  • And more…

 

If that list doesn’t convince you to take a closer look at your cosmetic products, I don’t know what will!

Here is more information I found while researching the side effects of parabens:

Ironically, while several of the commercial products that contain parabens are beauty products that are supposed to enhance the skin, such as lotions and moisturizers, research has found they accelerate the skin aging process. As reported by live-naturally.co.uk, researchers from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan found that the methyl type of parabens increases sensitivity to and damage from the sun; that is, when exposed to ultraviolet rays, skin cells die at a much faster rate than normal. Therefore, one should read the ingredients to check for methylparabens before buying beauty products for the skin. – LiveStrong.com

 

One recent Danish study… raised concerns. It showed that parabens could be detected in the blood and urine of healthy young male volunteers a few hours after paraben-containing lotions were applied to their skin. The authors concluded that since the chemicals could be absorbed, metabolized and excreted, they “could potentially contribute to adverse health effects.” – Best Health Magazine

 

A BBC News story from 2004 states that researchers at the University of Reading found traces of parabens in tumors removed from breast cancer patients. According to Dr. Philippa Darbre, one of the conductors of the study, since parabens mimic estrogen and estrogen can speed the growth of tumors, parabens could have an effect on the development of breast cancer. – LiveStrong.com

 

So Parabens Should Be Avoided, Now What?

 

   

Guess what? It’s time to head to your bathroom and start checking ingredients! When I first purged my bathroom, I literally was left with no more than my razor, toothbrush and a loofah. 🙂 But, I knew that I was doing my body a huge favor by getting rid of the bad chemical laden products.

You may be wondering what you will replace all of your products with! Never fear… there a plenty of great companies that offer quality, chemical-free, natural body care products, including make-up!

My favorite soap company? Apple Valley Natural Soap. They have soap to please everyone!!!
Lotion? I make my own lotion bars out of cocoa butter, coconut oil and beeswax. Or you can try Made On Brand.
Make-up? I also make my own, but I have found several shops on Etsy that sell affordable mineral make-up that works great!
Deodorant? Ha! You guessed it, I make my own! You can find out how to make your own HERE.
Baby care products? Castile liquid soap is great for babies and follow up a bath with a little bit of coconut oil.

See? There are plenty of healthy alternatives. You just need to know where to look or learn how to make it. You will be helping your body out in the long run!

So… are you going to be a label reader? What will you do to avoid parabens?

About the Author: 
Jasmine (aka Happy Mrs Bass) is a God fearing, always learning, stay-at-home-wife to the best husband in the world!  She is continually learning to slow down, enjoying the important, simple things in life…
She really enjoys creating things “home-made” and showing others how to do the same!  Which is why she started Like A Mustard Seed blog and her Etsy shop!  In the past couple of years, her new found loves have become herbal fix ’ems and things “all natural”!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lindsey Elise says

    Wow! Great article! I have been cautious about parabens for awhile, and this has cemented my desire to purge my skin care routine. Also, I was wondering how you make your makeup? I have been wanting to for some time, but have never found a good recipe.

    Reply

    • HappyMrsBass says

      Lindsey… Thanks! As far as making your own make-up, there are tons of recipes out there (and ingredients). Mine is made with kaolin clay as the base and tinted iron oxide pigments for color. All of my ingredients came from http://www.pvsoap.com. I don’t add mica to mine and it works just fine, it covers lightly (sheer) but creates a smooth air-brushed look. I tend to stay as simple as possible meaning the least amount of ingredients the better.
      I am not much of a recipe girl, but here is a “base” recipe to get you in the right direction.
      Remember, I don’t use all the ingredients listed in the recipe (mostly kaolin clay and zinc is okay too). Hopefully that helps!
      -Jasmine

      Reply

  2. Lindsey Elise says

    Thank you, that is super helpful! I do have one more question though. My skin is really light and all of the tinted iron oxide pigments looked like they would make it too dark, should I just use the kaolin clay, or is there something else I could add to help?

    Reply

    • HappyMrsBass says

      Try to figure out what your undertone color is (yellow, pink, neutral) and get the iron oxide pigment that would be the closest. You will just use very little… My mom is fair and I am darker (bi-racial) but our undertones are the same. She uses less pigments and I need more. If you only use Kaolin clay, I don’t think you’d be happy with the results. Less is best to start… like a sprinkle of pigment to a 1/3 of clay. 🙂

      Reply

  4. Joyce says

    Great article, I have just started making some of my own beauty products, lotion body bars, and I’m loving it. I viewed a video which talked about the hidden dangers in beauty products, which is what jump started me. The biggest issue is that the beauty industry is not regulated nor do they have to list all of the ingredients contained in their products. Thanks for the link also, roaming around the site, which is excellent, thanks again.

    Reply

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DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional. All information on this website is for educational purposes only. The information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. DISCLOSURE: A post may contain affiliate links. In order for me to support this website, my research, and blogging activities, I occasionally may receive monetary compensation for my endorsement and/or links to products or services. However, I only recommend products or services I trust at no extra cost to you.