Let’s Talk About Parabens

Update: I updated this post because I understand that the word “linked” is very loaded and it was incorrect for me to say that Parabens are linked to breast cancer. I simply wanted to to talk about BCA month from a different angle. I have updated my post with the facts and links to articles where you can make your own conclusions.

Hello lovelies! Typically,  in true breast cancer awareness month fashion, the digital space bursts with bloggers’ suggestions of gifts that you can buy where the proceeds go towards breast cancer research. . Staying true to my purpose I want to acknowledge not only products that support BCA but also ingredients in cosmetics that have controversy surrounding them due to some studies showing their possible connection to breast cancer.

Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics and foods. Products with high water content need something to combat microbes(bacteria, fungi, and viruses)  because guess what–where there is water there will always be biological activity. More specifically, water in a product with out a preserving agent can encourage growth of microbes which is not healthy for us as consumers.

The controversy with parabens is that there are some who believe they may have a connection to breast cancer. “Linked” is a very vague word, but the essence of the claim is based on the 2004 Darbe article in the Journal of Applied Toxicology where researchers found parabens present in breast cancer tissue. Also, there was another study where it was reported that parabens have  estrogenic-like characteristics. For more detailed information of the known Routledge study that showed this please check Personal Care Truth’s post.

Now that you know a little more about parabens, does it seem like a catch 22 to you? You can find some assurance that the FDA supports the miniscule amount of parabens placed in cosmetics, and that consumers can safely use products with them. If that is not enough, you can always look for products with natural preservatives.

Now for my BCA product recommendation, I want to introduce DHC’s Body and Soul Set. In this set you can get a luxurious Olive Body Butter, DHC lip cream,  DHC Revitalizing Moisture Strips and soothing eye gel masks. DHC is Japanese brand most widely known for their DHC Cleansing Oil as well as other high quality skin care products. 

1. Cashman, A., & Warshaw E. Parabens: A Review of Epidemiology, Structure, Allergenicity, and Hormonal Properties. Dermatitis 2005;Vol 16, No 2. 55-66. 

2.Darbe PD, Aljarrah A, Miller WR, et. al Concentrations of parabesm in human breast tumours. Journal of Applied Toxicology 2004; 24 5-13

3.Cosmetics: Parabens. 2006. Food and Drug Administration. 20 Oct. 2012 http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/SelectedCosmeticIngredients/ucm128042.htm.