What's Wrong with Parabens?

We've all heard how the chemicals in the products that we use daily are bad for us, but without truly understanding why we will continue to use them with a shrug of our shoulders.

I read an article on the liveeco green living website about what parabens are and to be honest I don't really want to improve my chances of cancer in any way or form.

So what are Parabens?
Parabens are chemical preservatives used in many cosmetic and beauty products. Even some ´organic´ and ´all natural´ products contain parabens, so always read the labels carefully.

Parabens can be found in shampoos, moisturisers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal lubricants, topical pharmaceuticals and toothpaste. They are also sometimes used as food additives in certain products. A huge percentage of everyday products contain some form of paraben.

What's so bad about them?
Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers and are therefore possibly carcinogenic. A 2004 study published by the Journal of Applied Toxicology found traces of 5 parabens in the breast cancer tumors of 19 out of 20 women studied.

Now that's pause for thought. Often times these chemicals are classified as not harmful because the amount in a bottle of shampoo is not enough to be deemed toxic. But hang on a moment - how often do you wash your hair? I wash mine everyday. Everyday x every year.... that's 10 585 washes. 10 585 times paraben is applied to my scalp. And that's not even including the face washes, face creams, body moisturizers that I apply DAILY.

But if it's on top how can it affect inside?
Parabens are absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream and because they are not ingested and subsequently broken down by the liver, these chemicals enter the body at full effect.

Not only do they enter the bloodstream but they also enter the water supply as they wash down the drain! Water treatment plants are unable to remove the parabens from the water and we therefore end up re-ingesting these chemicals and over time the concentration of parabens in our bodies builds up to unhealthy levels.

I don't know about you... but natural alternatives is looking pretty good right now!