Paraben-free makeup has become the norm, as well as natural makeup products in general.
But what exactly are these substances? And are they really harmful?
Parabens are man-made compounds used as preservatives in many cosmetics as well as food, beverages and even pharmaceuticals. You’ll find parabens in lotions, deodorants, shampoos, body wash and much more. Chances are, many of the products you use contain these chemicals, unless of course you consciously choose natural, paraben-free products.
Sometimes, you may not see the word “paraben” by itself in the ingredient list. Instead, look for words such as butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben or propylparaben. Alkyl parahydroxybenzoates is another common paraben you might find on a label.
Keep in mind, you are exposed to parabens in many products. While the amount in one product might contain a “safe” amount of parabens, you are probably using multiple products with the substance. Until there is a definitive answer regarding parabens, we highly recommend our customers search for paraben-free makeup and personal care products.
Not only do we produce paraben-free makeup, our products are vegan and have never been tested on animals. We also do not source ingredients from animal-testing companies. We firmly believe animal testing is unnecessary in the cosmetics industry; you can rest assured no animals were harmed in the creation of our cruelty-free products.
But what exactly are these substances? And are they really harmful?
What are Parabens?
Parabens are man-made compounds used as preservatives in many cosmetics as well as food, beverages and even pharmaceuticals. You’ll find parabens in lotions, deodorants, shampoos, body wash and much more. Chances are, many of the products you use contain these chemicals, unless of course you consciously choose natural, paraben-free products.
Quick Label Tips
Sometimes, you may not see the word “paraben” by itself in the ingredient list. Instead, look for words such as butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben or propylparaben. Alkyl parahydroxybenzoates is another common paraben you might find on a label.
Are They Safe?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, parabens have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are listed as safe for use in cosmetics as well as in foods and beverages and so forth.
However, there is some debate as to whether or not these chemicals are harmful. A few studies have shown parabens can mimic our body’s natural estrogen. Women produce the hormone estrogen naturally, but exposure to higher levels of estrogen has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Keep in mind, you are exposed to parabens in many products. While the amount in one product might contain a “safe” amount of parabens, you are probably using multiple products with the substance. Until there is a definitive answer regarding parabens, we highly recommend our customers search for paraben-free makeup and personal care products.
What About Sulfates?
When searching for paraben-free makeup, we suggest considering sulfate-free products as well. Sulfates are lather-making ingredients in shampoos and cleansers. Some are natural, and some are synthetic. We also suggest avoiding products with a lot of synthetic ingredients. If you dye your hair, sulfate-free shampoos can help preserve the color for a longer period of time.
In general, opting for paraben-free makeup and choosing the most natural options seems to be the healthiest option. It’s difficult to eliminate chemicals entirely, but we are aiming for cleaner products.
Not only do we produce paraben-free makeup, our products are vegan and have never been tested on animals. We also do not source ingredients from animal-testing companies. We firmly believe animal testing is unnecessary in the cosmetics industry; you can rest assured no animals were harmed in the creation of our cruelty-free products.