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Paraben-Free: What Does it Mean in Beauty Products?

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Paraben-free simply means that the product does not contain parabens. In most cases, the brands know that consumers these days want to buy paraben-free products so you may often see it highlighted on the product.

Otherwise, when in doubt, quickly take a glance at the ingredient list. Parabens can have long names but they all end up with “paraben”. So, you can easily identify them.  

If you don’t know what parabens are, keep reading below to explore more information about them, and find out what to look for in your products.

What are parabens?

Parabens are a group of preservatives found in many beauty products, food items, and drugs. They are derivatives of para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), a naturally occurring compound found in fruits and vegetables like blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and so on. 

They have been used in the beauty industry since the 1920s. They can prevent the growth of microbes like bacteria and mold in our skin care products. They also increase the shelf life of products.

Examples

Parabens are easy to spot. The first part of the name is different but they all end with “paraben”.

Some examples of parabens are:

  • Methylparaben
  • Butylparaben
  • Propylparaben
  • Isobutylparaben
  • Isopropylparaben
  • Ethylparaben

The different parabens are used in different concentrations and have some of their unique properties.

They can be used in small concentrations, are inexpensive, and provide good protection from microbes. These are the reasons why they have been used for years in many beauty products.

Are they harmful to humans?

There is a split as to what everyone thinks about this situation. Some avoid it like plague and some say it’s okay.

Parabens have weak estrogenic activity, which means they can mimic a hormone found naturally in our body which is called estrogen. 

Estrogen is linked to some cancers in humans including the breast. Parabens when applied topically can get absorbed into our blood. So, it brings the concern of how it can affect our bodies. 

In recent years, there have been some studies that link parabens to some health issues. Though the studies had their own flaws, they raised some concerns and now we are left with a question? Should we use parabens?

Let’s talk about some studies and evidence we have and let you decide.

1. Allergic contact dermatitis

Most of the time, parabens are well tolerated. However, in some people, it can lead to allergic contact dermatitis especially when applied on broken or damaged skin. 

So, if you have eczema or any underlying skin condition, it may be best to patch-test a product or choose a paraben-free option.

2. Hormonal effects

A study from 1998 found that parabens are weakly estrogenic but they are far less potent than estrogen (17β-estradiol). This study tested the four most commonly used parabens: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. All were weakly estrogenic.

Butylparaben was the most potent but even that was 10,000 times less potent. But the question is – Can using multiple products with parabens affect our health?

A 2001 study done on male rats showed that butylparaben can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels. Another study done in 2002 by the same author, found that propylparaben can do the same.

Both these are animal studies so we cannot apply these results directly to humans.

3. Breast cancer 

This is what actually created a whole new buzz around parabens and going paraben-free.

A study from 2004, found traces of parabens in human breast cancer tissue (20 breast tumors were tested in this study). So, of course, it is worrisome when we are slathering beauty products with the very same ingredients.

However, this study had its own flaws. The amount of parabens in normal tissue was not tested. So, we cannot tell if there was a difference in the amount of paraben in the tumor and in the normal breast tissue. 

This study could not prove a conclusive link between the use of parabens and breast cancer occurrence or risk. 

Another study from 2014, found that parabens can cause the proliferation of breast cancer cells and can increase the invasiveness of breast cancer cells.

However, this was an in-vitro study, meaning it was done in a lab on cultured cells. So, can parabens do the same in a living human being? There is no clear answer to that.

So, we don’t have evidence to directly link parabens and breast cancer. 

However, we know that higher levels of estrogen are linked to breast cancer. Parabens are weakly estrogenic and it makes sense to be worried about it. Probably more research and data can give us more conclusive evidence.

4. Pregnancy

There are some studies that talk about exposure to parabens during pregnancy and its effects on the baby (birth weight or head circumference). However, no definite association was found between the two. 

But we do know that topically applied parabens can get absorbed in our circulation or blood as seen in some studies.

It still leaves us with a question about its safety in pregnant women. 

Effect on environment

What we use in our beauty products often ends up in our environment. Parabens have been found in the ocean, rivers, and water supplies.

In addition, they can react with free chlorine in the water and form chlorinated by-products which are more persistent.

Studies have found parabens in marine animals as well but we don’t have data that tells us how they affect marine animals.

Current regulations

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t have any regulations on the use of parabens in beauty products.

They consider that there is not enough evidence to suggest that parabens as they are used in cosmetics, can affect human health.

So what should we do?

We don’t have clear-cut evidence that at the concentration used in skincare products, parabens can harm us. In many studies, the concentration used is higher compared to what we find in beauty products.

But at the same time, it can get absorbed into our circulation as studies suggest. How can it affect us in the long term? We have no answer.

I wouldn’t intentionally choose products with parabens. If I have two similar products, I will choose a paraben-free one. 

Alternatives

With the paraben-free movement, brands have moved on to using other preservatives. Some of them are:

  • Essential oils
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • Ethylhexylglycerin
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Benzoic acid
  • Potassium sorbate

These alternative preservatives are not entirely risk-free, they all have their own side effects like allergies and irritant contact dermatitis.

Preservative free

Some brands also have preservative-free options.

Like, the brand Avene has special packaging for some of its products in which the formula/product is preservative free. It never comes in contact with outside air and moisture. So, it can stay good for quite some time.

Be cautious

Always make sure to check the expiry of each product. If the preservative is not very effective, the product may have a shorter expiration date. 

Some products will say: “Best when used within 6 months of opening” or so on. Make sure to mark when you open your product so that you don’t forget about it. This will make sure that you don’t use products with any microbial growth. 

In the last few years, we have seen some products recalled due to mold growth so make sure you choose products from brands you trust.

Beauty products

These days it has become so much easier to find products free of parabens. Several online stores have options like this:

  • Paraben-free products at Dermstore
  • Paraben-free products at Sephora and so on

Paraben-free beauty brands:

  • Biossance
  • Drunk Elephant
  • Weleda
  • Clinique
  • Elta MD
  • Paula’s Choice (except Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser and Gentle Touch Makeup Remover)
  • Alastin Skincare
  • 100% Pure 
  • Afterglow Cosmetics 
  • Juice Beauty
  • Burt’s Bees 
  • Ilia Beauty 
  • RMS Beauty
  • Bare minerals
  • Supergoop
  • First Aid Beauty
  • Alima pure
  • Kosas 
  • MAC (except MAC Pro Chromacake)
  • Colorescience

FAQs

  1. How can parabens be avoided? The best way is to check the label of the product you are buying. Look for ingredients ending with “paraben”, for example, methylparaben. If you see them, the product contains parabens.
  2. Does paraben-free mean sulfate-free? Parabens and sulfates play completely different roles in a product. Parabens are preservatives while sulfates are surfactants commonly found in cleansers and shampoos. They have no relationship with each other. So, paraben-free is not the same as sulfate-free.
  3. Do parabens cause hair loss? As of now, there is no research data that indicates that parabens cause hair loss.

Summary

Parabens are very efficient preservatives commonly found in a variety of beauty products. They have been used for years in the beauty industry.

However, they are weakly estrogenic which has raised concerns about their safety. Some of us may choose to avoid them on the side of caution.

These days you can easily find products without parabens. However, you can still get a reaction with any new alternative preservative. It’s best to do a patch test to avoid these reactions.

References

Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

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