Since the 1990s, some people have worried that the high level of parabens in cosmetic and beauty products may have been linked with breast cancer. Parabens are effectively a type of preservative which is commonly found in around 85% of cosmetics such as shampoos, deodorants, body lotions and skincare products. They have been widely used since the 1950s, but in the 1990s a study found that parabens mimicked oestrogen within the body, which led people to believe that they may have an impact on the increasing cases of breast cancer. Whilst this has not been fully proven, some people are choosing to use products which are either paraben free or contain low levels of parabens.
There are a number of paraben free cosmetics on the market, and the product packaging will clearly show if the item is indeed free from parabens. Skinceuticals offer an effective yet paraben free sunscreen, which is popular with those people who try to avoid parabens whenever possible. Whilst not all skincare products are available in a paraben free format, having the option to choose a paraben free sunscreen can be useful.
For those people who wish to avoid using products which contain parabens, they may prefer to use products which are made from oil-based organic ingredients. These products are usually purchased in a dark coloured bottle with a pump, which means that light and air cannot reach the stored product. Parabens act as a preservative, reducing the levels of growth of bacteria and fungus, so those products which are paraben free will have a shorter shelf life than their paraben containing counterparts.
It is worth remembering that it has not been significantly proven than parabens are linked to cases of breast cancer, further scientific study would need to be carried out to prove this. Until research has been carried out, it is a matter of personal choice as to whether you should use products containing parabens or not.
To find out more about paraben free sunscreen from Skinceuticals, feel free to take a look at the Natural Complexions website.
