Why Intelligent People are Choosing Paraben Free Beauty Products…
3 min read
There are many valid and understandable reasons why beauty companies began putting preservatives in their products. Preservatives, such as parabens, help to stabilize ingredients, making them safer and last longer for mass production and consumption — and that’s a good thing! But, over the years, studies have shown that those same preservatives, which are saving you from fungus and bacteria, could also be causing even more harmful side effects. That’s why we here at Doll Beauty think it’s so important to ditch the preservatives in your beauty products and focus on products that are fresh, natural, safe and pure.
What are Parabens?
Parabens are a known carcinogen with estrogen-mimicking properties that have been linked to breast cancer. They’re used so widely in the beauty industry because they quickly and cheaply stop fungus, bacteria and microbes from growing in your products. Since most commercially sold products can spend years in a bottle while in transit, sitting on shelves in the stores and then inside your bathroom cabinet, they need to have preservatives in them to keep them from spoiling. Unfortunately, studies have shown that these ingredients have been linked to breast cancer and while there is no definitive proof yet that parabens cause cancer, researchers and scientists are cautious and advocate for further testing to figure out the real links. In the meantime, why risk it? We prefer to take care and avoid these ingredients wherever possible.
Disruption to your Endocrine System
Data indicates that parabens have been linked to hormonal imbalances which can cause a number symptoms that range from irritating to seriously damaging. When your endocrine system is off balance, the hormones that regulate everything from your mood to your energy, can get knocked out of whack. Weight gain, anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep, brain fog and decreased libido have all been documented symptoms caused by parabens. These symptoms are markedly more substantial when it comes to babies and children as their still-developing systems are extra sensitive to everything, especially foreign chemicals.
Premature Aging? Eek!
How many of us spend a small fortune on anti-aging skin care products, hoping to combat Mother Nature and keep our skin looking fresh and young? Ironically, the same products that promise the fountain of youth are often full of parabens which are actually speeding up the aging process! Research has been done that shows methyl parabens contain properties which, when introduced to sunlight, actually increase the skin’s sensitivity to light. Basically, when you go outside with these products on your skin, the ultraviolet rays react to the parabens in such a way that make your skin cells die more quickly than normal. Fortunately, there are many amazing natural beauty product alternatives available on the market today which are safer and just as effective (if not more so!) and will keep you looking and feeling healthy. A good rule of thumb is to look at the ingredients list and see if you can understand/pronounce/identify everything listed. But keep in mind that many natural substances also have scientific names that could sound scarily chemical-based but are actually completely safe. So do your research before buying!
Ditch the Preservatives and Make your Own
Don’t be scared of a little DIY! There are so many amazing blogs and recipes out there for natural beauty products, covering everything from teeth whiteners to skin scrubs. By making your own natural beauty products with ingredients which are probably already stocked in your pantry, you can ensure your skin is receiving super fresh, nutritious ingredients. Not only will you know exactly what’s going on to your skin, you’ll also end up saving money in the long run because you won’t be forced to pay for extra (and harmful!) ingredients you don’t want or need.
Remember, everything you put onto your body gets absorbed into your blood stream, the same way that anything you put into your body does. Your skin is the largest – and most porous! – organ you have. So why would you want to put anything onto your skin that isn’t safe and natural? Be smart, ditch the preservatives and look for paraben free beauty products. This is an essential step in your overall health and one that’s quite easy to make!
