You may have recently spotted “Paraben Free” beauty products, shampoos, and conditioners and questioned what parabens were.
What exactly are parabens?
Parabens are man-made, low-cost preservative compounds that are used by producers in several household items such as cosmetics, creams and lotions, shampoo, grooming, and sunbathing treatments and provide long-term defence from microbes.
Is it Safe to Use Parabens?
Over the last few years, researchers, product protection authorities, and cosmetic makers have been debating whether these compounds are hazardous to your body.
The majority of information on paraben poisoning comes from single research on a single paraben kind in a single item (e.g. parabens in deodorants). This is thought to provide a minor risk to the adrenal gland.
However, because we are exposed to a variety of parabens in a variety of items on a daily basis, more research is needed to offer conclusive danger information.
Parabens have been linked to contact dermatitis, rosacea, and other skin irritations in those with sensitive skin.
What are the Paraben Alternatives?
There are organic and inorganic replacements to parabens, such as employing plant oils and botanicals or more benign compounds, and customers are increasingly looking for paraben-free options.
Plant extracts and oils, which are mild on our bodies, environmentally beneficial, and have excellent preservation capabilities, have been substituted for paraben-based preservatives. Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Neolene, Triphenyls, Hydantoin, Glycolic, Nat Rulon, and Benzathine Chloride are all paraben-free antioxidants. Although they are not as potent as the man-made parabens listed above, they are frequently used in conjunction with the organic paraben substitutes listed below:
Phenoxyethanol – The most extensively used paraben replacement, phenoxyethanol is an antibacterial that is both efficient and durable. Since it can’t completely inhibit fungal and mould development on its own, it’s frequently coupled with an anti-fungal preservative like potassium sorbate or diazolidine urea.
Potassium Sorbate – Authorized for use in natural skin creams by Australian Certified Organic (AOC), sodium benzoate prevents moulds and fungal but only eliminates a few germs, so it’s frequently coupled with phenoxyethanol. It is non-toxic and does not cause sensitization.
Natural Preservatives – Natural alternatives exist that provide modest antibacterial defense. Some bacterial types and sourness are protected by grapefruit seed oil, essential oils of thyme, oregano, and tea tree, as well as rosemary and neem extracts. However, they do not defend against all bacteria on their own.
With this information, the answer was obvious. Where there is disagreement about the safety of man-made compounds as regulators and there are reasonable options, we chose to utilize paraben-free and safer substances instead of waiting for decisive studies.
Our goal is to build a wonderful skincare regime that protects your skin from injury in the future.
