These days it's not difficult to find paraben free skin care products. Although most conventional body care contains these chemicals as preservatives, even mainstream manufacturers are responding to new safety concerns by eliminating this class of chemicals from their ingredients. Many consumers don't know what parabens are and have no idea why they might want to avoid them. The safety or danger of using this class of chemical compound is a subject for much debate today.
Parabens are mostly man-made compounds that are used in conventional body care topicals, many pharmaceuticals, and processed foods. They are added to these products as preservatives, since they have antibacterial and antifungal effects. They are easy to produce and inexpensive, and they have a long record of use. Their safety record was not questioned until new analysis tools found traces of this class of chemical in cancerous tumors.
There is now a spirited debate on the health risk, if any, posed by these chemicals. There are naturally-occurring parabens, as well; for example, they are found in blueberries, supposedly one of the healthiest of foods. However, it is the man-made chemicals that are under scrutiny at the present time.
Parabens are among the most common ingredients in most cosmetics, nail products, moisturizers, soaps, shaving gels, shampoos, sunscreens, deodorants, and other topical products. They also are used as preserving agents in many processed foods. The fact that they are so widely used may be the problem. Whereas a little of the chemicals might not pose a risk, too much might be toxic.
Check the ingredients of things you use. If there is a compound with ethyl, propyl, methyl, butyl, or heptyl in the name, you'll know that the product contains chemical parabens. There are other forms of these preserving alcohols, as well. It's also true that chemicals substituted for parabens may not be any safer, or they may be worse.
The discovery of chemical parabens in breast cancer tumors has caused many to question their safety. Manufacturers point to the fact that they have been used as preservatives for decades without discernible ill effects, while others cite more and more evidence that they might disrupt normal hormone levels in women, being weak estrogen mimics, and cause reproductive health problems like low testosterone and sperm production in men.
Chemical substitutes for parabens are not necessarily safer. After all, it might take years for the body to accumulate discernible and harmful levels of any chemical in tissues. Those who prefer to use only natural ingredients are turning to essential oils, like tea tree or rosemary, and vitamins like E to preserve products that sit on store and bathroom shelves. Some question the efficacy of the natural alternatives, and some consumers have allergic reactions or sensitivities to even natural things.
If you are cautious about what you put on and in your body, it might be wise to choose paraben free skin care products. You also should avoid most processed foods, which also contain chemical preservatives. Parabens are readily absorbed by the skin and the digestive tract, so until their safety can be guaranteed, you might want to avoid them.
Parabens are mostly man-made compounds that are used in conventional body care topicals, many pharmaceuticals, and processed foods. They are added to these products as preservatives, since they have antibacterial and antifungal effects. They are easy to produce and inexpensive, and they have a long record of use. Their safety record was not questioned until new analysis tools found traces of this class of chemical in cancerous tumors.
There is now a spirited debate on the health risk, if any, posed by these chemicals. There are naturally-occurring parabens, as well; for example, they are found in blueberries, supposedly one of the healthiest of foods. However, it is the man-made chemicals that are under scrutiny at the present time.
Parabens are among the most common ingredients in most cosmetics, nail products, moisturizers, soaps, shaving gels, shampoos, sunscreens, deodorants, and other topical products. They also are used as preserving agents in many processed foods. The fact that they are so widely used may be the problem. Whereas a little of the chemicals might not pose a risk, too much might be toxic.
Check the ingredients of things you use. If there is a compound with ethyl, propyl, methyl, butyl, or heptyl in the name, you'll know that the product contains chemical parabens. There are other forms of these preserving alcohols, as well. It's also true that chemicals substituted for parabens may not be any safer, or they may be worse.
The discovery of chemical parabens in breast cancer tumors has caused many to question their safety. Manufacturers point to the fact that they have been used as preservatives for decades without discernible ill effects, while others cite more and more evidence that they might disrupt normal hormone levels in women, being weak estrogen mimics, and cause reproductive health problems like low testosterone and sperm production in men.
Chemical substitutes for parabens are not necessarily safer. After all, it might take years for the body to accumulate discernible and harmful levels of any chemical in tissues. Those who prefer to use only natural ingredients are turning to essential oils, like tea tree or rosemary, and vitamins like E to preserve products that sit on store and bathroom shelves. Some question the efficacy of the natural alternatives, and some consumers have allergic reactions or sensitivities to even natural things.
If you are cautious about what you put on and in your body, it might be wise to choose paraben free skin care products. You also should avoid most processed foods, which also contain chemical preservatives. Parabens are readily absorbed by the skin and the digestive tract, so until their safety can be guaranteed, you might want to avoid them.
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You can visit www.theonlyskincare.com for more helpful information about Paraben Free Skin Care Products.
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