Whether you've heard of them are not, it is important to know about the role of parabens in our lives. Parabens are a chemical used in many cosmetic products to prevent bacterial growth. While parabens have been used since the 1950s, there are new forms of them that you should watch out for.
Photo: marin/ freedigitalphotos.net Forms of parabens like butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben have been deemed xenoestrogens, or agents that mimic estrogen in the body. This excess of estrogen can in turn cause breast, ovarian and prostate cancer in men. But are the paraben-based products we use the direct cause of these serious health conditions? The answer is partially yes, and partially no. In 2004, Phillipa Darbre of Britain found a number of parabens present in a malignant breast tumor, drawing the conclusion that these compounds sparked the occurrence of the cancer in the first place. However, other doctors assert that Darbre's test was not correctly conducted and assert that the level of estrogen in parabens is so weak that it couldn't have such a serious effect. So with all of these new paraben-free labels, what's the answer? Parabens are in so many of our favorite products, like soaps, mascaras and shampoo, so does this mean that we have to throw them all out? The answer is no, you do not have to throw out all of your paraben products at once. Keep using the products you love, but consult a doctor to make sure that your levels of estrogen aren't too high. If you are worried about the effect of parabens, there are a number of new products on the marked that are marked 'paraben-free'. It is most likely that in the next two years, most cosmetic companies will cease to make their products with parabens, because of the bad stigma. So what is the real truth about parabens? Although they have been linked with breast and ovarian cancer in women, parabens are still considered safe at low levels by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That means that they need not be completely avoided, but if many of your favorite products have parabens, you should probably start looking for paraben-free replacements. Here are a number of commonly found paraben-free brands: Aveda Burt's Bees Dr. Hauschka Korres Origins Pangea Organics Josie Maran Cosmetics ...and many more! And on the way, learning about parabens will give you that extra push to throw away all those beauty products you don't use anymore... |
Here's How You Can Naturally Shrink Your Facial Pores
Find out how to get rid of unsightly large pores, and how to prevent them from ever coming back.
Have You Heard of Dermarolling Before? Find Out More Here
Dermarolling is a cosmetic procedure that involves putting tiny little pricks in the skin in order to allow the penetration of cosmetic products. Take a look.
How to Choose a Moisturizer That Will Actually Work
Choosing the right moisturizer can be tricky. To make things easier, we listed the most important ingredients to look for in an effective moisturizer.
Your Next Deodorant May Already Be in Your Skincare Routine
A short list of effective and cheap natural deodorants
How to Deal With Combination Skin That's Both Oily and Dry
If you suffer from combination skin, read on to discover the reasons behind it and learn several simple ways to deal with it.
These Tips Will Have Let You Say Goodbye to Blackheads
Are your clogged pores leaving you with blackheads and whiteheads? If so, here's how you can solve the problem!
Make Your Dry Cough Disappear With These Handy Tips
A dry cough can be incredibly unpleasant and annoying, but you don't have to suffer for days on end until it clears. Here are 5 tips for getting rid of one.
What Drinking Whiskey Actually Does to Your Body
While we now know that whiskey isn't the cure-all medicine people once though it was, it does have a few proven health benefits.
Here’s Why You Should NEVER Snooze the Morning Alarm
A surprising reason why you feel groggy every morning lies in your habit of snoozing the alarm button. To learn why, watch this short video.
The Added Benefits of Walking No One Told You Before
We all know walking is good for our health. But we bet you didn’t know about these little-known benefits of the activity.
The Secret to Flexible Muscles: How Stretching Works
Discover the actual effects of stretching on your muscles and learn ways to enhance your flexibility.
The Surprising Reason Keeping Secrets Could Damage Health
Keeping secrets takes its toll on your mental health in multiple ways. Here's how to cope with that.
How to Fix Your Sleep Schedule – Science-Backed Facts
Find out how your circadian system functions as an internal clock to keep your body running.
If You Want to Live Longer... Bend Over More Often!
Add more years to your life by doing this one, simple exercise every day.
Got a Stiff Neck? Give This 90-Second Treatment a Shot!
If you ever wake up and find that you have a stiff neck, this 90-second technique will help relieve it in no time at all.
9 Misleading Myths About High Blood Pressure
In this article, we dispel 9 misleading hypertension myths, so that we’re able to understand it more and take better care of ourselves and our loved ones.
The Complete Map to Our Most Important Pressure Points!
According to ancient oriental beliefs, every organ in the human body has a representative pressure point in the hand and the foot. Find out all about them here.
These Exercises Bring Relief to Sciatica and Nerve Pain
A pinched nerve in the back can be a bothersome chronic condition with frequent flareups. Here's how to bring instant relief to this type of back and leg pain.
The Truth About the Medical Secrets of Amazon Tribes...
Mark Plotkin spent years among the tribes of the Amazon and he has some fascinating secrets to share.
How the Location of Knee Pain Can Reveal Its Cause
Depending on where your knees hurt, you can sometimes tell what could be causing the pain.
The Secrets to Getting More Oxygen in Your Cells
The best (and easiest) exercises for better breathing.
Here's a Quick Guide to Instantly Clearing a Blocked Nose
Got a congested nose? Remember these priceless tricks and thank us later!
WATCH: What Causes Floaters in Your Eyes?
We can often see things floating around our field of vision, but what are they? This science video explains all.
WARNING: Who Shouldn't Consume Turmeric? Find Out Here
Discover more about who shouldn't consume turmeric or curcumin in this video:
Memory Not Working? The Answer May Be Hiding in Your Sleep
If you want to remember better, this lecture will tell you - The answer is in your sleep.
Having Leg Cramps at Night? Then You Need to Know This
Night leg cramps beyond annoying: they can interfere with sleep and life quality. Here's everything you need to know about night leg cramps.
Your Kidneys Are So Vital - This is What You Need to Know
Have you ever wanted to know just what it is that your kidneys actually do? Here is the information you've been waiting for.
HOW MUCH Exercise Do I Need to Burn Off These Foods?
Before you go for that takeaway, you should see how much exercise you will need to do to burn off those calories. This chart will show you.
Lose Weight by Using This Japanese Breathing Technique
This extraordinary deep-breathing weight-loss technique is known as the Japanese breathing technique to losing weight.
Dissolve Blood Clots from Your Body With These Vitamins
Untreated blood clots can lead to life threatening complications. Here are some vitamins that can help dissolve them safely.
Suffer From Dizziness? These Home Remedies Will Help...
We all experience dizziness from time to time. These home remedies will help alleviate the symptoms.
Can Exercise Really Stop Heart Attacks?
Find out some of the best ways to prevent and reduce a risk of having a heart attack.
3 Ways to Self Pop Your WHOLE BACK for Instant Pain Relief
Learn how to pop your own back for instant pain relief.
Relieve Pain in the Feet and Heels in Just a Few Minutes!
Do you experience frequent pain at the bottom of the feet? If so, check out these simple exercises for instant relief!
6 Important Warnings About Using Essential Oils
You are invited to find out which factors affect the safety of essential oils and six side effects you should watch out for.
9 Ways You Can Treat Fungal Infections at Home
If you suffer from some of these symptoms, there are a number of home remedies that can easily treat fungal infections.
Alleviate Your Sciatica Symptoms Using 6 Simple Exercises
Sciatica can be horrendously painful, but there are numerous exercises you can do in order to alleviate your symptoms. Try the 6 I'm about to show you.
Liver Cirrhosis: What You Need to Watch Out for
One major complication that can occur in the liver is cirrhosis, and this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to deal with it.
Struggling With Obesity? These Exercises Can Help a Lot
Struggling with obesity? Doing these exercises can change your life for the better.
Say Goodbye to Your Double Chin with These 5 Exercises
These 5 exercises will help give your chin a tighter, younger, and healthier look, and eventually to help you get rid of a double chin all together.
Ear Check: How Old is Your Hearing?
Try this handy and quick hearing test to see if your hearing is impaired, old for your age or younger than you!
Melt Away Neck Pain and Tension Headaches With These Tips!
Tension at the base of the neck is a common cause of tension headaches, neck pain, and many other issues. Let these 3 exercises help you in just a few minutes!
The Best Natural Remedy for Enlarged Prostate
This simple natural drink can be helpful for shrinking an enlarged prostate.
10 Simple Habit Changes Will Help You Quickly Lose Weight
Ten easy to follow habit changes that will help you take down those pounds much sooner.
MUST WATCH: Full-Body Chair Workout Guide for Seniors
This full chair workout for seniors covers every area of your body!
If Your Feet Hurt, Then You Should Really Try This...
Want to banish plantar fasciitis for good? Here are some exercises that you simply must try!
14 Super Foods that Fight to Prevent Cancer
These super foods, taken daily, have been proven to fight to free your body from the risk of cancer.