Parabens: Why Are They So Bad For Women?

By Portia Enriquez 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed an increase in the need and want of cosmetic products that are free of parabens.  Back when I was in college, in 2006, I can't remember my girlfriends caring about the ingredients in our makeup as much as we do now.  With the advanced technology and research that we are able to do these days, it isn’t a surprise to me that makeup lovers are educating themselves on how parabens can be harmful, especially to women.  

If you don’t know what parabens are, they are preservatives that can be found in makeup and personal care products that assist in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. It's essentially an ingredient used to give products a longer shelf life. We don’t want our any of our makeup to get icky but studies show that exposure to parabens can have a negative effect on the estrogen that we produce in our bodies. How much is too much is still being studied.  Parabens are xenoestrogens, which means they mimic oestrogens that we have in our bodies AND oestrogen has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems amongst women.  It also is linked to the early onset of puberty and a low sperm count in men (so boys beware!).  Oestrogen can stimulate some breast cancers to grow so this is something that we don’t want an abundance of in our system.  So what do you care about more, your makeup staying mold and bacteria free or your health? 

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, I want to challenge you to stay paraben-free this month!  Take a look at the ingredients in your makeup, skincare, and personal care products and if you see any paraben ingredient in it put it aside for later use. Take a field trip to your favorite boutique, cosmetic, or convenience store and replace those products with paraben free ones! You might take a little longer in choosing the right ones, but remember that this is preventing you from exposure to harmful ingredients!  You never know, you might end up finding yourself a new favorite product! Happy Shopping!