Are Preservatives in Cosmetics Safe?

If you wear cosmetics of any type, it's only natural to be concerned about the substances you apply to your skin. Most of us assume that when a cosmetic ingredient is approved for use, it must be safe. This isn't always the case. Sometimes data emerges many years down the line that calls into question the safety of a product.

Recently, non-organic cosmetics have come under scrutiny for containing a group of chemicals known as parabens. Parabens in cosmetics are certainly nothing new although it's been fairly recently that evidence has come forward that these cosmetic additives may be harmful to health.

Exactly what are parabens and why are they used in cosmetics?

Parabens are a group of chemicals preservatives added to a variety of cosmetic products most of us use on a daily basis such as shampoos, toothpaste, deodorants, moisturizers, and other toiletries. They serve the useful purpose of keeping harmful bacteria from growing in products to which they're added.

The reason parabens in cosmetics are of concern is because they're thought to disrupt the endocrine system by behaving similarly to estrogen in the body. Having excess estrogen in the body can be a problem for a variety of reasons. First, excess estrogen is thought to be factor in promoting the growth of some breast cancers in women.

In fact, in a study conducted in 2004, English researchers were able to identify preservatives in samples of tissue taken from breast tumors. Plus, previous animal studies have shown that parabens have estrogen-like properties in animals.

A second way parabens in cosmetics may cause problems is by affecting testosterone secretion in males and lowering sperm counts which could affect fertility. In fact, a study conducted in Tokyo, Japan in 2002 demonstrated this effect in mice. Although men generally wear fewer cosmetics than women they can still be exposed through the use of shampoos, toothpaste, and deodorants.

Parabens in cosmetics are particularly concerning since it appears that these substances readily penetrate the skin and can accumulate in body tissues without being broken down. If this is true, the average person could be accumulating a significant quantity of paraben compounds just by washing their hair, brushing their teeth, and applying deodorant.

Not to mention the myriad array of cosmetics most women use on a daily basis. Products such as deodorants and cosmetics are of particular concern since they remain on the skin once applied in contrast to shampoos that remain on the hair for only a short period of time before being washed away. Should you change you change the products you use on a daily basis to avoid parabens or is the problem overstated?

Doctor's Analysis:

If at all possible, parabens in cosmetics should be avoided when a suitable alternative exists. There are some credible studies in animals that show that parabens could be problem for the reasons previously mentioned. Fortunately, there are alternatives to the use of paraben in cosmetics and many organic and natural cosmetic manufacturers are adopting a no paraben policy.

Some are using essential oils or plant extracts as an alternative to parabens for preventing growth of bacteria in cosmetic products. One of the best ways to find safer, preservative-free cosmetics is to visit the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Database. It ranks various cosmetic products with a toxicity rating based on data they've collected. If you're concerned about parabens in your cosmetic products, be sure to read the label and go organic whenever possible.

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