“Without parabens”. Nowadays we read about almost all cosmetics, so much so that we take it for granted that our products are paraben free. But the real question is: are parabens really bad? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. The debate on the issue, in fact, in recent years has become much more heated, especially due to the accusations made against these chemical compounds, considered toxic.
Before you panic, breathe and remember that the products that are put on the market are safe and must meet the highest quality standards, therefore, even formulations with parabens are not a danger to your health. If, however, you are curious to find out the whole truth about these components and, above all, why they are so demonised, here is everything you need to know.
Moment of truth: Parabens are not the evil of the world and you don’t have to be terrified of them (just be careful).
Parabens: what are they and what are they for?
Introduced on the market in the 1950s, parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetics due to their antimicrobial and antifungal properties. From hand soaps to hair products, the function of parabens is to prolong the freshness of creams and shampoos, allowing you to use them calmly without fear that they may deteriorate. That’s why, for years, parabens have been present in countless formulations, before coming under fire for their toxicity.
Are parabens bad for you? The accusations
There are several disputes regarding the toxicity of parabens and, above all, the effects that daily and topical use could have on health. In particular, parabens are charged with the risk of increasing breast cancer due to the interference they may have with the endocrine system.
In reality, however, there is no sufficiently solid scientific evidence to state that parabens are responsible for breast cancer, although some compounds may mimic the activity of estrogens. The suspicions, however, led to limited use of parabens, both in the cosmetic and food sectors.
The truth about paraben toxicity
The first and most important thing to remember is that, in general, the amount of parabens in cosmetics is minimal and, above all, that in no case are products and ingredients considered harmful or dangerous on the market. Do not forget, then, that only some parabens compounds are used in the formulations and that they are completely harmless.
Furthermore, some studies have shown that even prolonged use does not leave any trace in the body. Why so much hype about parabens being bad if there is no overwhelming evidence? As in many cases, much of the problem was caused by marketing, which used a claim like “paraben-free” to insinuate the idea that some products are better and, above all, safer than others just because you lack these chemicals.
