Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Benefits Of Paraben Free Skin Care Products

By Vicki Diaz


You have probably heard of parabens and been warned to avoid them. There are a number of reasons for this. While exposure to them may not be immediately lethal in the long term it is worth finding paraben free skin care products in order to get the best protection for your skin and to maintain the best long term health.

In order to know why you need to avoid parabens it helps to know what they are. In simple terms they are sourced from plants to produce a chemical additive. These are added to a range of products including shower gels, shampoos and toothpaste. These additives are antibacterial and antifungal, helping to extend the shelf life of these products.

This is also why they are also added to some foods. The problem is that some people can be allergic. Over time they can end up consuming an allergen without knowing it. This can increase the risk of making conditions such as eczema and psoriasis worse.

Another place you will find this additive is in some foods. The danger with this is that people who already have some form of sensitive reaction can become even more vulnerable with prolonged exposure to this additive. This includes conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and some studies suggest this reaction can also occur with people suffering from asthma and irritable bowel syndrome as the increased inflammation can trigger flare ups.

One reason that is still being studied is the link between parabens and cancer. While this is not fully proven there is a theory behind this. The ingredient is said to mimic the effects of the hormone oestrogen. This can affect hormonal balance in the body and consequently can increase the risk of women getting breast cancer.

The first thing to do is to check the label. The difficulty is that a label is unlikely to say it contains parabens. However a brand that does not contain them will clearly state this on the label. Words to look out for on the ingredients list will often include the words benzoic acid or a variation on those words featuring numbers, dashes and letters. If you see these ingredients listed then these are the products that are best avoided.

Increasingly more companies are offering this as more information has come out on the risks of using these products that contain this harmful additive. Organic products are a good option as they will not contain other artificial ingredients while at the same time still offering the best protection for your skin.

In simple terms it is better to be cautious. While the studies into the risks of these additives are on going you should strongly consider seeking out paraben free skin care products. Look online to find the various brands available as well as customer reviews to find the ideal brands to suit your needs.




About the Author:





No comments :

Post a Comment