Paraben-free: What Does it Mean and Why Should You Care?
Parabens, you might have heard this term several times when shopping for a body lotion or a shampoo! But, ever wondered what parabens are and why the industry has made them look like a villain of your skincare love story?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what paraben-free exactly means and how parabens are harmful to the body.
What are Parabens?
Parabens are most widely used as preservatives in personal care products and cosmetics, including soaps, moisturisers, body lotions, shampoos and more. From the past decade, continuous use of products that contain parabens and similar kinds of preservatives has become a cause of concern.
Parabens are a class of synthetic chemicals that improve the shelf life of the products. They also help in averting the growth of bacteria and mould, thus keeping the products protected for longer.
Why are they Harmful?
There are plenty of side effects one can experience after using products that contain parabens. The reason why parabens are not safe is that they can mimic the human hormone “estrogen”.
In short, parabens can interfere with human hormones irrespective of sex, body type, age and other factors.
When the hormones get a hit from parabens, their working cycle gets disturbed, which affects the day-to-day life activities that the body goes through.
Also, some studies have shown that using paraben-containing products can influence reproductive activities like menstruation and pregnancy.
Some other side effects of parabens include:
- Flaking
- Hives
- Irritation
- Redness
- Itchy skin
What’s the Solution to Combat Parabens?
The only way you can avoid the aforementioned problems is by using paraben-free products. When shopping for body lotions, moisturisers, and other cosmetics, read the label carefully and make sure it does not contain propylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, and other common paraben ingredients.
Isobutylparaben and Isopropylparaben also indicate that the particular product contains parabens and is not safe to use.
Natural Preservatives is the Answer
Natural preservatives like oils, herbs, and vitamins have several health benefits you can enjoy while they improve the shelf life of the products. You can choose skincare and haircare products that contain:
- Sodium benzoate
Widely used in salad dressings, jams, and other eatables, sodium benzoate is 100% natural and safe for use.
- Phenoxyethanol
This is a synthetic preservative, but the FDA has approved it as a food additive. Phenoxyethanol is also used in cosmetics but does not have any ill effects like parabens.
- Essential Oils
Natural products that contain essential oils and herbs do not last as long as products with chemical preservatives, but they are gentle to the skin. Essential oils and herbs nourish the skin while you get a natural glow without experiencing any side effects.
Final Thoughts
Parabens have several adverse effects on the body, so it is wise to avoid using such products. Look for organic bath and body products that do not contain such harmful preservatives and are gentle to the skin.
Check out our range of Indigo Bath and Body products. These are entirely organic products free from any types of harsh chemicals, preservatives and parabens.
Register with us today to place your order, and welcome numerous benefits using the all-natural range of products.
