ARE YOU CONCERNED WITH HOW PARABENS MAY IMPACT YOUR PREGNANCY? Read more here…

While there are no benefits to adding preservatives, otherwise known as Parabens and/or Phthalates, (other than extending the shelf-life of the product), the challenge is that almost every major brand of cosmetics (i.e. skin products, body lotions, personal care products, lubricants, hair products, cosmetics, deodorant, sunscreen etc.) contains Parabens. But what exactly do they do?

Parabens:
The FDA defines parabens as:

‘Parabens are the most widely used preservatives in cosmetic products. Chemically, parabens are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The most common parabens used in cosmetic products are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Typically, more than one paraben is used in a product, and they are often used in combination with other types of preservatives to provide preservation against a broad range of microorganisms. The use of mixtures of parabens allows the use of lower levels while increasing preservative activity.’

That sounds harmless enough, but what exactly are these parabens and what is the concern surrounding them?

As stated above, parabens (and other preservatives such as Phthalates) are put into cosmetics to preserve them. Parabens have been around since the 1920’s and research indicates that in low doses parabens are safe. The problem is that as stated above there are parabens in everything…sunscreen, hair products, facial products, body creams, fragrances, shaving products, lipsticks, body washes even household cleaners; basically unless it’s labeled paraben free, 99% of the time it’s got parabens.

Parabens are xenoestrogens, which essentially means that they chemically mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen. As time has gone on and medical studies have progressed studies have linked the following health concerns to parabens:

* In a Danish study article published in “ Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology” in lab tests, fish began to change sex from male to female when they were given injections of ethyl-, propyl- or butyl-paraben. Researchers found that propyl- or butyl- paraben were found to have higher oestrogenic effects than ethylparaben.  Propyl- and Butyl- paraben are the same parabens found in Bisphenol-A (“BPA” found in Plastic #7).

*  Animal studies in both Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology and Archives of Toxicology (to name a few)  found that exposure to parabens were linked to disturbances of the male reproductive system including:

-  Testicular cancer 
-  Undescended testicles
-  Sperm abnormalities
-  Prostate disorders

*  Studies published in journals such as Journal of Toxicology have indicated the presence of parabens in breast cancer tumors.
 
Because so many products we use everyday contain these parabens, the possibility of diseases such as breast cancer, the over-feminizing of our boys and the early maturation of our girls is alarming. Although the FDA claims they are “safe” in low doses, the problem is that since 99% of the products we use have parabens those small doses can add up to a large one especially in our small babies body.

HOW DO WE AVOID PARABENS?
Look for brands that advertise being “paraben free”.  Some of my favorite paraben free cosmetic and skincare brands are:
*  Burts Bees
*  Better Botanicals
*  Suki
*  Dr. Hauschka
*  Weleda
*  Alba
*  Bare Essentuals (Bare Minerals)
*  Mineral Fusion
*  Zuzu Cosmetics
*  Gabriel Cosmetics

For more information on specific product recommendations and product descriptions please click HERE to enter our link to a full list of natural brands and product recommendations.

To FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PHTHALATES AND “FRAGRANCE” please visit our link by entering HERE

 Otherwise feel free to email me directly at:
pregnancyandbabyinformation@gmail.com