Do You Want This Ingredient?

Did you know parabens are used as preservatives in most beauty products on the typical store shelf?  They allow products to be kept there years longer, which I do not really see as a benefit.  The organic products I use have a 3 year shelf life, more time than I'd want since I put these beneficial, potent products on my skin.

You may have heard of parabens' impact on hormone levels, such as the report by the University of Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health, which states that butylparaben "adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system."  (July 2002 issue of the Archives of Toxicology, Dr. S. Oishi's article).  Parabens mimick estrogen in ther effect, and many health professionals point to the likelihood of increased breast cancer.  The EPA reports parabens and other hormone-disrupting chemicals present in human breast milk and in marine animals.  Given the greater impact of chemicals when absorbed through the skin (Dr. Elizabeth Smith says it is ten times the impact of a dose taken orally) there is concern for human infants and adults as well as aquatic life.  Additional concerns were expressed by Dr. Thomas Conner, Ph. D. at the University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health, who considers parabens a more serious health problem than originally thought.  They are seen as merely causing allergies and a weak estrogenic effect; except that as Dr. Conner states, they are also sensitizing agents, meaning that a small amount has a magnified effect.  Then, too, a small amount from several products per day which all have parabens - from toothpaste to shampoo to skincare - starts to add up, compounded when they are used daily!   Studies also show a more substantial risk due to combinations with other chemicals in the products.  Three shampoos he tested actually caused bacteria to mutate!  Further tests showed that the higher the dose, the greater the chances of cell damage or mutation.  He also reports that other ingredients are of major concern:  both fragrances and other preservatives used in typical (nonorganic) products are leading causes of contact dermatitis and may cause other health problems.  The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics informs consumers of health risks from products and influences companies to produce safer products.  www.safecosmetics.org