Banning The Parabens

Today I want to talk about why all my products are paraben-free. Besides helping my clients feel young and beautiful, my number one priority is safety. There are a ton of products on the market, but not all are as safe to use as you’d think.

What Are Parabens?

The short answer: Parabens are preservatives. These preservatives are made of a chemical compound which can be found in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and even some of the preserved foods you eat. The chemicals are not water soluble and can easily penetrate the skin and be absorbed into the body.

The long answer: According to the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) parabens are a “family of related chemicals that are commonly used… to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold, in order to protect both the products and consumers.” According to The Breast Cancer Fund, parabens are a group of compounds widely used as antimicrobial preservatives…”  There are a number of different paraben’s out there, mostly recognizable by the word “paraben” in them like ethylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben.

Why Are Parabens Bad?

Sources, like the Breast Cancer Fund and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, cite studies that link parabens to a number of different health concerns. Most of these health problems are due to the fact that paraben’s mimic the cell structure of estrogen, which confuses the body. Parabens have been linked to endocrine disruption, skin cancer, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. In one study, traces of five different parabens were found in the breast tumors of 19 out of 20 women.

Despite all this evidence, the U.S. has NO regulations when it comes to parabens! The FDA doesn’t even have any information on how parabens, as they are used in cosmetics, effect health. However, according to their website, the FDA is currently considering a number of questions in regards to the safety of parabens including:

• What do published studies show about the possible hazards of parabens, and on the effects of parabens on human health? For example, do experimental findings with various parabens also happen in real life?
• What are the hazards and risks of not using parabens? If we stop using parabens to protect cosmetics and consumers from harmful bacteria, are there safer alternatives for preservatives?
• If there are paraben-related health effects that are scientifically supported and documented, how do these effects relate to the use of parabens in cosmetics?
• Do the different kinds of parabens act the same or differently in our bodies?

The scariest part about this is that the FDA hasn’t even done the research yet! All of these questions are simply being considered, not actually looked into.

I’m proud that all Steph B. Cosmetics are hypoallergenic, cruelty free, and paraben-free. I only create products that are 100% safe to use. I want to ensure that my Steph B. Beauties are getting the very best products that are exactly what they need. It is possible to be safe, affordable, and effective. To learn more about my Steph B. Cosmetics products or set up an appointment to learn how to use my paraben-free products, call 844-878-3742 today!