Going paraben-free may be one of the best decisions you can make for your health. Paraben is a term used to describe a group of chemicals found in many personal care products. These products work as preservatives and over time can cause a number of risk factors for overall health and wellbeing. As you seek out ways to improve your health, it’s critical to understand why paraben-free products should be a part of that process.
What Are Parabens?
Parabens are made up of synthetic chemicals. They are commonly found in beauty products and healthcare products. Their job is to prevent the growth of microbes in these products. In that way, they seem like a good thing. They work to minimize the growth of fungus and bacteria in your makeup and other items. However, there is a bad side to them.
For those who aim to live a natural, chemical-free lifestyle, parabens like the following should not be included. Look at the ingredients of the products you use to spot names such as:
- Benzylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Pentylparaben
- Phenylparaben
- Propylparaben
You may find these in shampoos, makeup products, skincare products, soaps, and conditioners. These all contain parabens to help them last longer.
What Is Paraben-Free Cosmetics?
Paraben-free cosmetics are designed without the use of any anti-agingor harmful chemicals. If the product does not say that it is all-natural, you can assume they are not paraben-free.
What’s more, the Food and Drug Administration does not have rules on the use of parabens in products. That means companies do not have to test these products and chemicals for use before they sell them.
Why Go Paraben-Free?
Researches have found numerous complications to health and overall wellbeing when these products are used. Widespread use of them is present, though, making these chemicals present in everyday living for many people. Some studies have linked the use of these chemicals to the development of breast cancer, for example. The chemicals interact with hormones leading to the development of toxic buildup, which some believe is directly linked to breast cancer.
Additionally, parabens and the byproducts from them often wash into the oceans, polluting the water and life that resides there. Researchers have found evidence of this in tissues from marine mammals such as dolphins. They’ve also impacted coral species, including leading to viral infections of these all-important reef-building species.
What Can Parabens Do to You?
Parabens create a number of challenges for overall health. For example, they typically act like estrogen, a human hormone. As a result, they interact with other hormones in the body, creating an imbalance that can create numerous concerns.
Some of the most common initial reactions to these chemicals include:
- Redness on the skin
- Irritation
- Itchy skin
- Painful skin
- Flaking of the skin
- Hives
As noted, a buildup of these chemicals may also lead to the development of cancer. The environmental consequences also create an impact on the lives of many.
What Should You Do – How to Remove Parabens from Your Products
Make the decision to go paraben-free. Doing so helps preserve your skin health and minimizes the risk of chemicals entering your body. It’s something anyone can do with just a few simple changes to the products you buy and use.
The first step is to stop buying products with any of the names listed above. Doing so creates a risk for chemicals to get into your skin and body. Look for products specifically labeled as paraben-free. That’s a critical step in ensuring you are only using all-natural products.
At Jenny’s BAKED at Home, you’ll find all of our products are non-GMO, all-natural, and 100percent grown in the USA. You do not have to worry about any parabens in our organic product line, including our foods and skincare products. That can give you peace of mind when it comes to caring for your body.
