Lotions, moisturizers, makeup products, foundation, bubble baths, underarm deodorant, hair conditioners, and shampoos. Chances are, all of us have used such products at one point of our lives. But how often have we questioned exactly what goes into such products? Paraben preservatives (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-) have been used in cosmetics like the ones listed above to extend their shelf life and inhibit microbial growth for over 50 years. Paraben preservatives are the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetics, despite the fact that they cause allergic reactions and various diseases. Paraben preservatives occur not only in cosmetics but also in pharmaceuticals and certain foods. It was estimated that our “total paraben exposure is 76 mg/day or 1.3 mg/kg/day: with food accounting for approximately 1 mg/day; cosmetics and personal products, 50 mg/day; and drugs, 25 mg/day.”
Parabens are not carcinogenic, nor highly toxic or mutagenic. However, they have been reported to cause chromosomal damage, and mimics the effects of estrogen. Estrogen causes breast cancer, and researchers have found buildups of parabens in tissue from breast tumors. Studies conducted to determine the effect of parabens on the male reproductive system showed that parabens lowered the sperm count in mammals and acted as a spermicide. Other studies have suggested that parabens negatively impact skin health, speeding the aging process when exposed to ultraviolet rays.
The EPA has recently discovered that parabens are endocrine disruptors, chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system. The endocrine system “regulates every function of the body. It consists of the thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands, the pancreas, the ovaries and the testes, all linked to the hypothalamus in the brain.” This excerpt was taken from an article called “Can the Methyl Paraben in Your Shampoo Make You Fat?” When you use parabens in your cosmetics, it can be absorbed through the skin and disrupt your endocrine glands, sending false signals to your endocrine glands. This same article dealt with the theory that parabens in cosmetics were part of the reason for the number of obese people in the world today. When you use a product, like lotion for example, “60% of the products may end up in your body”. The rest goes down the drain. Down the drain and into our drinking water, into bodies of water occupied by aquatic life like fish and algae.
Parabens’ main danger is exposure over time. Consider the frequency with which you’ve used any of the products above. The products containing parabens are often used daily. Long-term effects of parabens have yet to be determined, though many studies are being conducted to explore its properties. So far, parabens are used in almost 90% of cosmetic products, and for the sake of health, let us hope that companies will reconsider the use of dangerous chemicals in our everyday cosmetics.
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ThinkQuest 2006: Xiaoxiao, Lisa, Susan & Sri
