Parabens come in many versions: Methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, benzylparaben, isobutylparaben and propylparaben.
Parabens are used as a preservative in sunscreen, conditioner, shampoo, moisturizers and other cosmetics. If you see one or more of the parabens listed above in the ingredients list of your products, you should think twice before using the product. In Denmark, some types of parabens are banned in cosmetics and skin care.
In Norway, all types of parabens are still permitted, but researchers are starting to wake up and are stating that these toxic substances are more harmful than first thought. Norway is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of various chemicals in the body.
Read more here about chemicals and environmental toxins in skincare.
Fast facts about parabens:
○ Parabens can increase estrogen levels by interfering with the enzyme in our skin that releases estrogen from the body. This has an endocrine disrupting effect.
○ Parabens are absorbed into the body. That is, they are stored in the body. Many studies have been done showing that those who regularly used creams with parabens had higher concentrations of parabens in their bodies the older they were. Another study in Denmark found that concentrations of parabens in urine increased after applying a paraben-containing cream.
○ There are several researchers who assume that parabens are one of the causes of breast cancer and harm to the fetus.
Sources:vg.no
nrk.no
