Day 61: The Dangers of Parabens

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 61: The Dangers of Parabens

Earlier this week I shared with you my concern whether deodorants and breast cancer are related. Today we’re going to go a step further and look at the effects parabens have on the human body.

What are Parabens

This is what the experts have to say ... 

Parabens are a class of widely used preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Chemically, they are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid (also known as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid). Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They are found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution, makeup,^[1] and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives.

While it hasn’t been proven that parabens cause cancer, studies have found that parabens have an effect on human hormones, leading to cancer. When I read this piece of information it made me wonder why manufacturers are allowed to put such harmful ingredients in everyday items.

Pseudo-Estrogen Effects. Specifically, parabens act like estrogen, which may increase the risk of women developing estrogen-positive breast cancer. Researchers conducted tests on 20 different samples of human breast tumors, which revealed parabens to be present in each sample.

Isn't this shocking? In every single breast tumor traces of parabens were found. How can the FDA allow this!

Avoiding Parabens

Avoiding parabens is easier than you might think. All it takes is paying attention to the label of certain products.

Paraben-Free Shampoo & Conditioner

Pick up any supermarket shampoo or conditioner and chances are they’ll contain parabens or another harmful ingredient. Bain de Terre and Jason haircare products, on the other hand, are not only of a better quality than most supermarket products, they are paraben free.

Paraben-Free Shower Gel

Does your shower gel contain parabens? This website lists shower gels and body washes that do not contain these harmful chemicals. https://kit.com/Lucy/best-natural-paraben-free-bath-and-body-washes-2017

Paraben-Free Body Lotion

After showering or bathing, most women use a body lotion to keep their skin hydrated. In addition to various brands in this list there’s also St. Yves who has a large range of paraben-free body lotions.

Paraben-Free Moisturizer

Another item women use on a daily basis is moisturizer. Moisturizer is known to keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay and should be used before applying makeup. Other than moisturizers in this list there also Nivea.

Makeup

The majority of women use makeup before they go to work, out for a visit, out shopping or even just around the house. They don’t feel like themselves until they have their face on. Unfortunately, the foundation, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, blush and lipstick they use all contain parabens. To avoid those nasty chemicals, have a look at this list. You’re sure to find a makeup brand you like. https://www.bcaction.org/our-take-on-breast-cancer/environment/safe-cosmetics/paraben-free-cosmetics/

Once you start paying attention, you can find all kinds of products that don’t contain harmful ingredients. Whatever you want or need, simply type “paraben free makeup” or “paraben free lotion” in your favorite search engine and see what comes up. Within no time you'll be on your way to a healthier way of life. 

www.connymanero.weebly.com

Vaseline linked to cancer

Some people never cease to amaze me.  On the one hand they are so concerned with their health that they almost turn neurotic and look down on others who don’t share their views, yet on the other they do their very best to sabotage their health.

Take the use of Vaseline also known as petroleum jelly for instance.  Some people happily smear it on their baby’s bottom, while others use it to treat dry skin, or add shine to their lips.  Did you know that women who use lip gloss regularly, eat about seven pounds of the Vaseline in a decade.

Little do they know that Vaseline does not moisturize, it draws moisture to the surface, as such robbing skin of what it so desperately needs, and they risk all kinds of cancers.

Vaseline is made of petroleum sludge, a type of wax that forms on oil rigs.  The wax interferes with the proper working of the rods on the rigs and has to be removed from time to time.  The wax contains hydrocarbons, a substance found in women with breast cancer. 

Still, people ignore advice given online and state that Vaseline has been around for years, that their grandma used it, and that only fools would believe that the greasy wax could be bad.  Not only that, some articles actually promote the use of Vaseline/petroleum jelly. 

Why anyone would do this is beyond me.  You only have to look at and touch Vaseline to know that something so greasy cannot be good for your skin.  It leads to acne, impurities, irritation and worst of all, certain cancers.  This possibility alone should be enough to scare people off.  Sadly, this is not the case.  The product is cheap, has been used by their mother and grandmother, so they figure it must be good.

What is even more mind boggling is why the Cancer Society hasn’t made it its business to warn the public about the use of Vaseline.  If the product has been linked to cancer, you would think this is right up their alley.  On the one hand they raise millions of dollars for cancer research and promote pink ribbons to make women aware of breast cancer, yet on the other hand they keep silent about the dangers of Vaseline. 

If you want to moisturize your skin or give shine to your lips, do it with something safe like an organic oil.  Oils such as olive oil, almond oil, cacao butter, shea butter and coconut oil will be more expensive than Vaseline, but at least they are risk free.

Before you buy your next beauty product READ THE LABEL.