Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Availability Of Paraben Free Skin Care Products

By Karina Frost


Skin care products come in various type and forms and numbers. Many different compounds are used to manufacture including synthetic and natural substances. The shelf life of cosmetics is extended by the use of preservatives. Some of the most commonly used preservatives belong to a group of ester compounds known as parabens. Usage of this group of preservatives has however been controversial due to side effects. Therefore, paraben free skin care products have been designed.

Preservatives are important components of cosmetics as they prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and molds. Disintegration may also occur as a result of air and light. For this reason, using preservatives is very crucial without which the product may become lethal. Besides, some of them are suspected in causing allergies and toxicity.

Some various scientific studies have linked paraben metabolites to breast cancer since deposits have been found in patients with breast cancer. The studies concluded that the metabolites are capable of penetration and accumulation in tissues. Other scientists have associated them with organ toxicity. On the other hand, other schools of thought claim that the toxicity only occurs when applied in large amounts.

Some parts of the body are absolutely sensitive to parabens. The mucous membranes of the eyes are extremely sensitive to such chemicals and therefore eye make up removers should not contain this compound. Eye creams with parabens are known to cause irritation when they get to the eyes. In addition, facial cleansers and moisturizers that lack the compound are recommended for sensitive skins.

Industries have resulted to alternatives for parabens despite a lack of consensus on its implication. One of these is grape fruit seed in other names Citrus Paradisi. Other alteratives that have found their way into industries are phenoxyethanol and benzyl alcohol. Other manufacturers prefer essential oils such as cinnamon, tea tree and lavender.

Another chemical that has been often used for preservation is organic acids. When organic acids dissociate, they form an acidic salt which has antimicrobial activity. With an increase in pH, acid salt is slowly formed from the acid. When the salt form is combined with another preservative such as diazolidinly urea, the result is an even more effective preservative. However, the preservative only works for acidic formulations.

It is true that the use of alternatives has not been in use for long therefore their safety record is not proven. When you are not sure about the preservative used, use oil based cosmetics whenever available. This is because only water based cosmetics have to have preservatives. They may present challenges in the use, however, as they have to be used in dark rooms and using a pump to prevent air and light. Whatever your choice is, always use paraben free.

Regardless, consumers need to look at the ingredients list of any product that they want to purchase. The information about the toxicity of various chemicals that you may encounter can be cross referenced in an online database. Remember, all natural and safe does not always mean that the product is safe. Always choose paraben free cosmetics.




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