Aside from immediately trusting a big skincare brand's name or listening to a wonderful experience with a product, did you know that most people tend to buy impulsively because of the beautiful packaging?
DO NOT BE DECEIVED. And although your serum, moisturizer, or cleanser delivered a short-term glow, 70% of the time the result was a compensation for risking your HEALTH.
According to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health, our skin can absorb up to 64% of what's applied, and it's alarming to know that our face is much more permeable than the rest of the body.
Now that it's obvious that everything we put on our skin can impact our bodies, let's not forget to closely look at what's really important — the INGREDIENTS.
But admittedly, labels can be overwhelming to look at because it's time-consuming and filled with jargons. Truth is, that's what they wanted you to think!
Remember, beauty products in the United States are mostly NOT REGULATED by the FDA. The EU and other countries have banned or limited more than 1,600 chemicals from personal care products, and sadly most are still legal in the United States!
So it's up to you to protect yourself from their lies. Your knowledge is power, so gather your skincare products because today we are going to review ONE of the BIGGEST CULPRITS hidden in your beauty routine.
PARABENS
What are Parabens? These are artificial compounds of chemicals that are commonly used as preservative in many cosmetic and personal care products. These are usually easy to identify through their ingredient name ending with -paraben.
The common types of Parabens are:
- Propylparaben (the most dangerous)
- Isopropylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
Recent studies have now confirmed that Parabens may accelerate cell growth in pre-existing breast cancer. Data from EWG also stated that, "Parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the normal function of hormone systems affecting male and female reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility and birth outcomes. Parabens can also interfere with the production of hormones. "
If there's already so much data available proving that it's a toxic ingredient (some even banned in the EU), then why do most brands still favors this preservative?
You've guessed it, it's CHEAP, accessible, and has a very long shelf-life. From mass-marketed products to luxurious brands, it's their perfect go-to for preservation even when there's a safer and stable alternative like Phenoxyethanol or they could opt to be preservative-free.
The good news is Health groups are now also pushing the FDA to outlaw parabens in American-made products, similar to what the European Union did in 2012. But for the time-being, we can be responsible for our safety by reading product labels and avoiding products that contain parabens.
Here's a cheat sheet that you can save or take a screenshot of to refer to while you shop. Or you can also check out our TOXIC-FREE® and natural products.
Curious to find what other ingredients you should avoid? I've discussed the other 3 TOXIC Ingredients present in most skincare products here,
Always prioritize your healthy and safety. Till next time my Amber Babies! Please don't forget to subscribe and follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 🥳