If you pick up your favorite personal care products and look at the ingredient list, chances are youll see components in the paraben familya group of chemical preservativeswhich, according to new research, could potentially take a toll on your health.
Parabens are commonly used in lotion, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and cosmetics. The most frequent impact of parabens is skin irritation, but it has also been linked to allergic reactions, cancers, developmental/reproductive toxicity and endocrine disruption.*
Check your labels for these specific parabens: benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium methylparaben and sodium propylparaben.
There are, however, several natural alternatives that can be used as preservatives in personal care items. Look for products that contain grapefruit seed extract, vitamin E, vitamin A or vitamin C.
