Worried about parabens? Several of you have been sending us images of the back labels on your beauty and personal care products on our whatsapp helpline (+918437048180) asking us to check if the products you use, are made from ingredients are free from parabens or not also safe for you and your family?
One of the most commonly occurring controversial ingredient that we’ve come across in suinteractions with you are ‘parabens’- commonly used preservatives in beauty products. There’s been a lot of talk lately about parabens but there isn’t much information about this controversial ingredient in a form that a regular consumer can understand. So we decided to cut-out the jargon and explain the basics in plain English.
What are parabens?
A group of synthetic compounds commonly used as preservatives in a wide range of health, beauty and personal care products. They’re added to products to increase their shelf life and to prevent them from getting spoilt.
They’re added to deodorants, toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners, body lotions and makeup, among other products, to stop the growth of fungus, bacteria and other potentially damaging microbes.
Are they harmful?
Some say yes and some say no. But there sure is a controversy around their usage. “Of greatest concern is that parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity,” reports the non-profit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC). “Parabens mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors on cells.” Research has shown that the perceived influx of estrogen beyond normal levels can in some cases trigger reactions such as increasing breast cell division and the growth of tumors.
How do I know if my personal care products have these?
Read the label. If the brand lists ingredients in full (they should but several companies get away without disclosing the full ingredient list), these will appear as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and isobutylparaben. If you see any of these on the label, the product contains parabens.
Does Just Herbs use parabens ?
"No we do not use parabens. While we don’t support or oppose the use of parabens but as a brand that stands for safe skincare, we’ve eliminated this controversial ingredient from all our formulations.
We use preservatives approved by ECOCERT (the French organic certification agency) and our proprietary blend of essential oils and herbs to preserve our products. This ensures product stability without compromising safety.
How can I know more?
http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=291
Should you have questions still, whatsapp us on +918437048180