Parabens! What the heck is a Paraben?

First commercialized in the 1950s, parabens are a group of synthetic compounds commonly used as preservatives in a wide range of health, beauty and personal care products. If the product you are using contains methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and isobutylparaben, it has parabens. This group of chemicals is added to our skincare products to stop the growth of bacteria and fungus.  “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.”

​It is possible to avoid bacteria growth in our skincare products by choosing options that are effective in very small concentrations, and  use different preservatives for different products because of performance (e.g., sodium might work well on its own in one product, but not in another, so we may use phenoxyethanol or potassium sorbate instead).  From Beautycounter, which is a company whose mission is to provide safer skin care products for all.  

​Please check out my website www.beautycounter.com/kimgrady/social/454785?goto=/ Please educate yourself on what you are putting on your skin, your largest organ!  The website www.ewg.org/skindeep/​ is a  resource for your to find out what is really in the products you are using each and everyday!