Why choose a paraben-free product?

It is not uncommon to see the mention “paraben-free” on certain products… But what are parabens? Are they really dangerous, banned? Are paraben-free products better than those containing them? Discover everything about this vague concept for consumers.

Buying paraben-free products: how to find them?
Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. “Parabens” is the common name for a class of chemicals, which are also known by other names such as esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Remember that preservatives are important because they fight against yeasts, molds, and bacteria.

Why eliminate cosmetic products containing parabens?
In 2004, a study was conducted by British scientists, which led to the suspicion that there might be a link between parabens in deodorants and breast cancer (the results are mainly based on the presence of parabens in cancerous breast tissues). Even though these studies do not prove the carcinogenic effect of parabens, what is certain is that parabens are allergens, irritants to the skin and eyes, and they seem to have estrogenic activity, hence a possible link to cancer.

How to choose a paraben-free beauty product?
It is indeed important to know that there are several types of parabens, often used in mixtures in cosmetics. However, they do not all have the same toxic potential. While methylparaben and ethylparaben seem harmless, adverse effects have been observed with propylparaben. Others (notably butylparaben and isobutylparaben) have shown estrogenic or reprotoxic effects in several studies.

Products with or without parabens, it’s up to you to choose! What is certain is that products containing parabens are not banned; their dosage is controlled through tests before being marketed.