Parabens. Knew nothing about them 6 months and now I am obsessed with them. I hope after reading this, you become obsessed with them too--specifically, how to avoid them.
Upon my first breast cancer pathology, I found out that my cancer was hormone receptive. ER+/PR+, 93% and 97% respectively. Non-medical speak, my tumor was stuffing its face with estrogen, growing larger by the day.
Now back to parabens. Parabens are synthetic preservatives found in pretty much every cosmetic everything. They are cheap and widely available which is why cosmetic manufacturers love to use them. But guess what they do besides keeping your products from spoiling. Parabens mimic estrogen. And by that, I mean they actually bind to estrogen receptors on your cells. How is that for talent? Maybe even more alarming, in a 2004 UK study, parabens were found in 19 of 20 breast cancer tumors. Now, I am no statistician, but isn't that almost all?
The FDA says there is no reason to be concerned at the present time. They think the low concentration in products are safe to use. Really FDA? Maybe if you use only one product. But consider how many cosmetic products the average woman uses in a day. I myself use 15 before 8 am (assuming I get a shower in)...
1)Shampoo, 2)conditioner, 3)soap, 4)shaving cream, 5)toothpaste, 6)deodorant, 7)face wash, 8)toner, 9)sun screen, 10)moisturizer, 11)foundation, 12)mascara, 13)body lotion, 14)hair volumizer and 15)straightening gel.
That's 15 products, all containing parabens. I was spoon-feeding my tumor. Doing the choo-choo and the airplane all the way to its pie hole. Can you believe it?
So for now, check out what's living on your bathroom shelves and counters. Look for anything ending in -paraben (i.e. buytlparaben, ethylparaben, etc.) as a consideration for changing products. Don't be surprised that you find it and multiples of it in everything. The good news is there are some amazing alternatives out there as consumers are becoming more and more educated and thereby demanding paraben free products.
That's 15 products, all containing parabens. I was spoon-feeding my tumor. Doing the choo-choo and the airplane all the way to its pie hole. Can you believe it?
So for now, check out what's living on your bathroom shelves and counters. Look for anything ending in -paraben (i.e. buytlparaben, ethylparaben, etc.) as a consideration for changing products. Don't be surprised that you find it and multiples of it in everything. The good news is there are some amazing alternatives out there as consumers are becoming more and more educated and thereby demanding paraben free products.
Tomorrow, I'll bring forward a few of my favorite paraben free products and all-natural brands I've discovered. Can't wait to share!
Anyway, call me Paraben Paranoid. But until there is a viable study proving its safety, I am going to try and avoid as much of it as I can. Note to self, must follow money trail on viable study.
More to come!
BTW- the FDA is not authorized to approve cosmetic ingredients by the The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. So, in general, cosmetic manufacturers may use any ingredients they choose, except for a few ingredients that are prohibited by regulation. That's direct from the FDA website.
Love, Lil
BTW- the FDA is not authorized to approve cosmetic ingredients by the The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. So, in general, cosmetic manufacturers may use any ingredients they choose, except for a few ingredients that are prohibited by regulation. That's direct from the FDA website.
Love, Lil
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