Dear Friends all over the world,

It’s time to get to the bottom of things. We’ve seen enough of “Paraben-free” products labelled in drugstores, online shops, banners, etc. Most of us would instantly categorize these products as “gentle”, “natural”, and “safe” for the skin but do any of us really know what paraben truly is? Is it a poison? What effect does it have on the skin? This letter is just the tip of the iceberg and more research is being done on Paraben but I want to share with all of you the real deal. Is Paraben truly is a threat to our health being or is it used mainly as a marketing tool? Let’s find out!

Paraben is a group of chemicals used for preservatives in a lot of beauty products such as shampoo and skincare. The main point is to extend products’ shelf life and preventing the formation of molds; therefore also protecting the users from premature expiration dates. There are usually 6 common types of paraben found in a product: Methyl/Ethyl/Propyl/Isopropyl/Butyl/Isobutyl parabens. Parabens are widely used due to its effective qualities as a preservative and their affordability.

Studies shows that paraben is a chemical that acts as an endocrine disruptors which means that it disrupts the normal function of the hormone system (including the growth, development, and reproduction of hormonal cells). This may cause disturbance in monthly ovary cycle for women, various skin problems due to hormonal confusion in the body, etc. One of the main reason for its current hype is that a study found a correlation of the existence of paraben in our body with breast cancer. HOWEVER, no significant prove has been found that paraben IS the cause for breast cancers or any of the stated health issues. Which is why the FDA hasn’t been able to put forth a proper ban for the use of parabens in products; because no research is conclusive enough to convince them. Also keep in mind that these studies are done in labs and where the number of Paraben used are elevated and is directly injected to a cell in a dish plate, and not to a human skin.

Even though there are no studies that prove paraben is the cause for cancer, we cannot run away from the fact that paraben does affect how our body functions. Different people will experience different things as well as how sensitive they are when they are in contact with parabens. Some may experience dryness in the skin while some might suffer from hormonal acne, and others doesn’t react at all. It is due to the fact that the amount of paraben used in the market is in a very low amount and does not pose a deathly threat to our well-being.

More companies are now focused on eliminating chemical parabens and use natural parabens instead. Some examples of natural preservatives include grape seed extract, lavender, green tea, and eucalyptus. It is also deduced that germs grow in water, therefore some companies eliminate the use of water in their products to lengthen their shelf period.

Be aware that natural ingredients does not mean that it’s safe for our skin or to consume! A lot of natural ingredients are not suitable to be used on human body, so do read the ingredient list carefully. Same goes to the principle that “paraben-free” does not mean that it is safe. Companies may replace paraben with other materials that are as hazardous or even more hazardous.

To my surprise, a lot of popular and holy-grail products on the market does contain paraben. Here are some examples:

On the other hand, these are brands that claims that they do not use paraben in their products and people do claim that their products are gentle as well as effective:

It is true that there are no studies that can show that Paraben pose a significant threat; however, it does affect the well-being of some people who are more sensitive to foreign chemicals being in contact with their body. Therefore it is important to pay attention to the ingredient list of a product and find the safest products to use. Another important thing to note is to always make sure that your products are not expired! Pay attention to an open tube symbol with 6M/12M/24M/xxM written on it. The number xx represents the amount of month that the product is safe to use after opening. 

Read reviews from various users before making a purchase or consult with your doctor if necessary. For me personally, I do prefer paraben-free, alcohol, and fragrance free product to be completely safe. How about you? Leave a comment down below and let me know!

If you find this letter helpful then please share it with your friends and family.

Thank you for reading and I’ll be back with more product reviews!

Yours truly,

Nindia Djie

P.S. Thank you for the reviews.com team for reaching out to me. Click here to read more about Paraben on their website. Credits to reviews.com for the content on this post <3