Welcome back!

I’ve been asking you to read your product labels and be more aware of what you put on your body, because it doesn’t just sit on the surface, it enters your bloodstream, your muscles, your bones, your organs.  I’ve talked plenty about what you should be looking for that is good for your body.  But I haven’t said much about what you should be avoiding.  So I’ll be devoting a series of posts to giving you an overview of what you should be looking for to keep it away from your body. We’ll start with parabens.
Parabens are quite the controversial ingredient and have recently been under review by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).  To start from the beginning, parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben) are a group of preservatives commonly found in cosmetic and personal care products. Read the back of your shampoo, body wash, or deodorant labels and you will see at least one, if not a few parabens listed.

So wants all the fuss about? Well, parabens have been scientifically found to mimic hormones in the body which in turns causes our body to think we’ve produced too much estrogen.  High estrogen levels are widely known to be highly linked to breast cancer.  The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that all parabens have been proven to have endocrine-disrupting effects. Elevated estrogen can lead to depression, weight gain, and breast cancer. There are numerous reports on parabens being found in cancerous breast tissue. On the flip side, there are some claims that these reports are founded on faulty, misleading, and/or misinterpreted data.
My personal stance is these claims: Do I want to take the chance that the claims that this information is being blown out of proportion? Do I want to continue to expose myself to an increase risk of breast cancer? In a world where cancer is ravaging women, whether there is a family history or not, do I want to endanger myself?
Preservatives are a necessity in any product to guarantee that it doesn’t go rancid. Plain and simple, if you didn’t make it yourself and store it in your refrigerator and use it up quickly, it must have a preservative for your personal safety.  The question is, are there alternatives to parabens, alternatives that do not have a link to breast cancer?  The answer is absolutely! From rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary oil extract) tocopherol (Vitamin E ) rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary oil extract) alternatives are out there.

Be conscious when you’re making the choice in your beauty products.  Factor in your short and long terms goals…cost vs health vs ease of access vs quality of life.  Take a peek at the label on your favorite skin and/or hair treatment and see what you find.  Leave a comment and let us know what you find and what you think.