Parabens – What To Avoid For Great Skin

In recent years, there has been a big push against parabens, and a lot of beauty and skincare brands are going “paraben-free.” However, what exactly does that mean? What chemicals should you avoid in order to have happy and healthy skin?

While beauty products require chemicals in order to remain usable and not mold, there are some chemicals that are better than others. Though companies may claim to be paraben-free, they may still have stuff in them that is not great for your skin.

What Do Parabens Do To Your Skin?

Many people talk about how parabens are bad for your skin and can cause harm, but what exactly do they do? Parabens are essentially additives that are put in beauty products to make them last longer. However, when they are applied to the skin, they are very quickly absorbed which can cause rapid damage and harm, though it is not fully proven yet.

It is believed that when these parabens are soaked into your skin, they go into your bloodstream within hours. Once in your bloodstream, they will mimic hormones such as estrogen which in turn messes up your body’s hormonal balance.

In some cases, parabens have even been shown to cause breast cancer or interfere with the reproductive system, particularly in males. Another thing that parabens may cause is oxidative damage since it reacts with UV radiation and can create rapid aging in your skin.

The worst part about parabens is that companies are not required to list them in some cases which means that brands can say that they are paraben-free without truly being paraben-free.

What Chemicals Should I Avoid?

Since parabens are sometimes not required to be listed, here are some of the top chemicals that you should avoid at all costs to have happy and healthy skin:

• Methylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Benzylparaben

All three of these are controversial because they are very easily absorbed into the skin. Because they are so easily absorbed, they can cause damage to your skin. Since they are so easily absorbed, they can mimic the estrogen levels in your body thus disrupting your hormonal levels and balance. These chemicals are most often found in shampoos, body washes, hair gels, lotions, conditioners, and creams, so be sure to check for them before you buy anything.

Overall, there is a lot of hype and talk about parabens in the beauty world, though not much is known about them yet. While many companies and brands are claiming to be paraben-free, they may not be all that they seem. In fact, some parabens are not even required to be listed.

Because of this, it is important to be knowledgeable about what products and ingredients to avoid. Parabens can cause great harm to your skin and body by being absorbed into the bloodstream, so avoiding them is key to having healthier looking skin for years to come. Don’t get tricked, know what to avoid.

Looking for 100% chemical-free, all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Abigail Wise is an aspiring teacher, writer, and editor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education with an emphasis in Creative Writing as well as working towards her teaching credential. She hopes to receive her Masters of Arts in English as well as go on to be a full-time teacher, writer, and editor.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Adrian Motroc on Unsplash