What is Paraben? Is It Harmful to Health?
You must have noticed the phrases “paraben-free”, “paraben-free” and “paraben-free” that have been written in larger font sizes on product packaging lately. So what is paraben? Paraben can be roughly explained as a group of chemicals that have been widely used as artificial preservatives in cosmetics and body care products since the 1920s. It is used in a wide variety of rinse products, especially in products with high water content such as shampoos and hair conditioners that people frequently use on a daily basis. However, there are also different types of parabens. In this article, you can find answers to frequently asked questions such as “What is paraben?”, “What are the types of paraben?” and “Does paraben cause cancer?”
What is Paraben?
Paraben is a chemical used as a preservative to keep microorganisms such as fungi, yeast, mold and bacteria away from products that shorten the shelf life of products. Since the products contain biodegradable ingredients, chemicals are added to their content to prevent and/or reduce the formation of harmful bacteria and mold, and the shelf life of the product is extended. Paraben varieties are used to preserve cosmetics, medicines, food, beverages and personal care products.
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💡 Paraben is a chemical used as a preservative to keep microorganisms such as fungi, yeast, mold and bacteria away from products that shorten the shelf life of the products.
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What are the Types of Paraben?
Parabens are made from para-hydroxybenzoic acid, abbreviated as PHBA. PHBA is actually a type of acid found in bacteria, plants, and fruits. Parabens are also derived from an acid-base chemical reaction called esterification. When PHBA and alcohol combine, they form an ester. The type of alcohol used determines the length of the alkyl chain in the molecule. Long-chain esters are more lipophilic, so long-chain parabens are more permeable to the epidermis of the skin.
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💡 Long-chain esters are more lipophilic, so long-chain parabens have a higher permeability to the epidermis layer of the skin.
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Methylparaben and ethylparaben are short-chain parabens. Long-chain esters, such as butylparaben, are stronger than medium-chain esters. Another factor that determines the harmfulness of a paraben is whether it is oil-soluble. Parabens that are oil-soluble are called hydrophobic parabens. Although cell studies have shown that parabens such as benzylparaben bind easily to estrogen, more research is needed to determine whether these effects can be replicated in humans.
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💡 Another factor that determines the harm of paraben is whether it is soluble in oil.
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In this context, paraben types can be listed as follows:
• Methylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Isopropylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Isobutylparaben
• Pentylparaben
• Heptylparaben
• Benzylparaben
• Pentylparaben
The most common types of parabens are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben.
Which Products Contain Paraben?
The main reason parabens are found in products is to prevent microorganism growth. Parabens are commonly found in many cosmetic products, including:
• Liquid and powder foundation varieties,
• Tinted moisturizer,
• Sunscreen,
• Cream and powder blush,
• Moisturizing face cream,
• Lotion,
• Shampoo,
• Hair Conditioner,
• Shampoo,
• Shaving cream,
• Lipstick,
• Lip balm
However, it is important to remember that there are also paraben-free versions of these products. If you are looking for paraben-free beauty products, remember that there are many alternatives.
In addition, many products such as bottled water, fruit juice, alcoholic beverages, coffee, milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, solid and liquid oils, crab, shrimp, sea and freshwater fish, rice, noodles, bread, red and white meat types, desserts, condiments, processed foods may also contain parabens.
Are Parabens Harmful?
The concern about parabens stems from scientific studies suggesting that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body; harm fertility and reproductive organs; affect birth outcomes; cause skin irritation; and increase the risk of cancer. Given their endocrine disruption capacity; potential for reproductive harm to women and men, and the potential for repeated exposure throughout life, it is clear that long-chain parabens (isobutyl-, butyl-, isopropyl-, and propylparaben) should not be used in personal care. Many products can be made without these chemicals.
The United Nations Environment Program has identified parabens, including propylparaben and butylparaben, as endocrine-disrupting chemicals or potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Estrogenic effects increase with length of paraben exposure. In human studies, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that decreased fertility was associated with urinary propylparaben. Another human study linked butylparaben and total urinary paraben levels to decreased fertility, as well as decreased menstrual cycle length. Butylparaben levels in maternal urine and cord blood were associated with an increased likelihood of preterm birth and decreased birth weight.
So is a world without preservatives possible? The most common microorganisms* that contaminate cosmetic products are bacteria such as P. aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella oxytoca, E. coli, S. aureus, Serratia marcescens* and Enterobacter gergoviae, and yeasts and molds such as Candida albicans. The species mentioned above are potential pathogens, meaning they can cause adverse health effects. Additionally, exposure to microbially contaminated products can challenge the immune system, which is a natural barrier against microbial invasion.
Are Parabens Safe?
Up to this point, parabens appear to be harmful, but there are opposing views. The Expert Panel on Cosmetic Ingredient Safety assessed the safety of 21 parabens as preservatives in cosmetic products. All of these ingredients were reported to function as preservatives in cosmetics, and 5 were also reported to function as fragrance ingredients. The panel reviewed data on the safety of these ingredients under reported conditions of use in cosmetic formulations. The panel concluded that 20 of the 21 parabens included in the report are safe in cosmetics under current usage and concentration practices when the total amount of parabens in any formula does not exceed 0.8%.
Due to the lack of a clear statement on the toxicological profile of parabens, cosmetics labeled as “paraben-free” or “paraben-free” have gained increasing popularity. Furthermore, the “Paraben-Free” label is not officially registered in the European Union. Therefore, cosmetics manufacturers are not legally obliged to completely remove parabens from the product ingredient list. Consumers should also consider the benefits and losses of using products preserved with “chemical” or “natural” paraben substitutes.
Therefore, paraben may not be harmful when found in products within certain limits. The issue of whether paraben is harmful may need more scientific research. In this context, the decision seems to be up to you, the consumer, for now.
What Do Evla Experts Say About Paraben?
After examining the views and research of almost every segment of society, from official institutions to manufacturers, from limited research to scientific data, the conclusion reached by Evla experts can be summarized as follows:
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💡 Animal and cell-based studies show that parabens can act like estrogen and cause health problems. Unfortunately, there is still much unknown about how these chemicals affect humans. If you have a reaction and think it may be from paraben exposure, consult your doctor.
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Animal and cell-based studies suggest that parabens can act like estrogen and cause health problems. Unfortunately, there is still much unknown about how these chemicals affect humans. If you have a reaction and think it may be from paraben exposure, consult your physician.
If you are looking for paraben-free products, you can access the paraben-free products category in the Evla selection from here. Goodness, health, beauty…
Source:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/are-parabens-bad-for-you-5204132
https://www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/parabens-cosmetics
https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/chemicals/parabens/
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-parabens#:~:text=Parabens are chemicals that are,that you use every day.
https://www.healthline.com/health/paraben-free#paraben-free
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32723119/
https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/methylparaben
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33221305/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935120313852?via%3Dihub
