Parabens are Preservatives

Today's entry is about parabens (see picture of chemical structure) or preservatives used in cosmetics to add extra shelf-life to the product and make them last much longer than just the average shelf-life of a homemade cream.

1) What exactly are Parabens?

Parabens are preservatives with the main function of preventing the cream or product from getting spoiled or rancid. Nevertheless, the natural course of nature is that everything spoils or rots eventually due to bacteria or also called microorganisms. Parabens are additives that protect the cream against various microorganisms hence adding extra shelf-life to the product. A pot of cream may last for a year or much longer. I used to think that if I paid that much money (and some creams cost as much as $ 50.00 or more for as little as 1.7 oz), I want to the product to last as long as I care to use it. Today, I feel differently about that as I am making my own products without any added preservatives. Some oils as well as Vitamin E are natural preservatives that makes a product last about 3 month. This is enough time to use an ounce of facial cream twice a day.

2) How are Paraben labeled?

Parabens are commonly labeled as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, or butylparaben. They can also be listed as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid, 4-hydroxy, P-carboxyphenol, P-hydroxybenzoic acid, P-salicyclic acid, 4-hydroxy-benzoic acid, or 4-carboxyphenol.

Ususally parabens are used in combination with other parabens to function as a wide-spectrum preservative against a wide variety of micro-organisms. A lower level of each individual paraben is used to increase the overall preserving activity.

3) What products can Parabens be found in?

Parabens or preservatives can be found in a variety of products: shampoo, conditioner, skin lotion or cream, anti-wrinkle creams, tooth paste, body wash, tanning lotions, exfoliants etc.

4) Are Parabens toxic or safe to use?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels parabens safe to use whereas Skin Deep rates Parabens with level 7 (on a range of 1-10 with 10 being the highest hazard level).

5) So what is the hype about Parabens?

Several studies have been conducted with varying results. The FDA is aware that parabens have been connected to studies about cancer but they still say that the products are safe to use due to the low level of parabens used. Andrew Weill, M.D., also writes that other sources of estrogen (other than paraben) cause a much greater risk.

I have listed two studies that actually refute each other:

Darbre et al. linked concentrations of parabens to breast cancer in a 2004 study (Journal of Applied Toxicology, 24). Whereas, Golden et al. stated in a study about the implications of parabens for potential risk to human health (2005) that it was "implausibe that parabens could increase the risk" for breastcancer in connection to daily exposure of parabens and estrogen levels (Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 35).

It seems that there is almost no way around not using parabens as they are in just about everything unless you really make your own cosmetics. I only can say, be an educated consumer, be aware of what you eat, drink, or put on your skin as whatever you put on your skin is absorbed by your bloodstream. You are not only what you eat but also what you put on your skin.

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Sunscreen

While yesterday's post was about absorption through our skin, today's post is what our skin is absorbing through sunscreen lotions. Please don't get me wrong, I love my Hawaiian Tropical sunscreen but maybe it is just me, sometimes I wonder how safe these lotions are even though they are enhanced with "time-released vitamin A, C, and E"... I will eat extra portions of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat...

These are the three main ingredients of my Hawaiian Tropical sunscreen that smells so lovely of coconut:

Octyl Methoxycinnamate (octinoxate) is an organic compound found in lip-balms and sunscreens. This compound can cause photoallergenic effects, can cause endocrine disruption (natural hormones / chemicals in the body that carry messages across the body to repair tissue and manage growth could be interrupted). It is usually combined with another ingredient because once it is exposed to sunlight, it's functioning decreases.

Octyl Salicylate received a score of 4-6 (just as Octyl Methoxycinnamate) compared to titanium dioxide that received a low score of 1-4 on the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. It is also an organic compound found in sunscreens. Since octisalate (or octyl salicylate) is an insufficient UV-filter on it's own, it has to be combined with something else. When exposed to the sun, octisalate degrades hence is less functioning.

Both octinoxate and octisalate are penetration enhancers, meaning, they are faster absorbed by the skin.

Titanium dioxide, a natural mineral that can safely be used as sunscreen. It is a white, opaque pigment that is used in a variety of ways... from food (white food coloring E171) to tattoo pigment to ceramic glaze to cosmetics where it can be used as thickener as well as functions as sunscreen. Titanium dioxide protects the skin from ultraviolet light. While titanium dioxide itself is considered toxic as the radicals are carcinogenic, fine or coarse titanium dioxide covered with silica or alumina is safe to use for infants and those who have sensitive skin.

Here are some links for more information:

Environmental Working Group

The Organic Make-up Company

Skin Deep Cosmetic Database

After reading up on all the ingredients, it leaves me to wonder why I should put two ingredients on my skin if they are not even doing their job so to speak. I decided to make my own sunscreen lotions with the safest of all evils, titanium dioxide and coconut and almond oils.

Good luck to all sun-lovers!!! May your skin be happy :-)

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