The Truth About the Dangers of Parabens

Let’s face it. Skin care products these days are laden with synthetic chemical ingredients, including parabens. The dangers of parabens and other chemicals are down played by the government and skin care industry but some consumers are taking matters into their own hands.

Are parabens bad? Parabens are widely used as preservatives in skin care products because they are cheap and effective. The problem is that parabens cause allergic reactions and skin irritation in many people. Moreover, studies show that parabens exhibit estrogen-like activity and thus interfere with the body’s endocrine system.

The dangers of parabens may not seem serious enough in order for the ingredient to be banned completely but many consumers are asking questions. A 2004 study in the UK found traces of parabens in breast tumor tissue samples and scientists think it has to do with the use of deodorant that contains parabens. If the increased risk of cancer is not an undesirable side effect that should have a product banned, I don’t know what is.

Are parabens bad enough to avoid completely? There are an increasing number of people who believe that and that’s why there are a growing number of paraben-free skin care products available on the market. If you don’t feel comfortable using skin care products that contain parabens, only buy from companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. Companies who have signed this agreement have pledged that they don’t use any suspicious or dangerous ingredients in their skin care products.

The dangers of parabens were outlined simply and clearly by one of the researchers involved in the 2004 study in the UK. The researcher expressed concerns that the falling sperm counts in men and the rising rates of breast cancer in women may be caused by the increasingly common use of parabens, which have the ability to mimic estrogen in the body.

So are parabens bad? While there are not absolutely definitive studies on the matter, the scientific evidence so far shows that parabens do pose health risks. Your best bet is to avoid using skin care products that contain parabens in order to stay safe. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin and are susceptible to allergic reactions.

So there you have it. The dangers of parabens may not be apparent to the point that their use is prohibited but the scientific evidence that we have thus far is nothing short of alarming. If you want to stay safe and use skin care products that will benefit your skin rather than harm it, go paraben-free.

http://www.articlesbase.com/anti-aging-articles/the-truth-about-the-dangers-of-parabens-614778.html