Know Why you Should opt for a Paraben Free Skincare Routine!

Know Why you Should opt for a Paraben Free Skincare Routine!

 “Our products are paraben free.” “They do not contain so and so chemicals.” You must have come across these statements from your favorite skincare brands, especially during the last 5-6 years where the trend of using toxic-free products has garnered a lot of attention all over the world. Even when we enter a beauty store loaded with products, it is instinctive to check the ingredients. We often come across the ingredient “paraben” that seems to permeate all types of skincare and beauty products. 

It is obvious we might not be aware of all the ingredients that are contained in a product, and there is always the familiar anxiety about whether we did the right thing in buying that product. With different claims from brands, it is a dire necessity to understand the ingredients better. But there’s nothing to worry about as we are here to provide you with all the information you need to know about Parabens and why “Paraben free” products have taken the world by storm! 

What are Parabens?

Parabens are preservatives that are synthetic chemicals used to increase the shelf life of beauty products. They prevent any kind of bacterial and fungal growth in beauty and skincare products. But then if they are so important, why are people shifting towards Paraben-free skincare?

Recently, many have proven that parabens can harm all skin types in the longer run. The primary debate is its close association with triggering diseases like breast cancer due to prolonged exposure to the chemical. Moreover, they have harmful effects on the environment as well. Thus, many brands shift towards creating products free of parabens.

How are parabens bad for our skin?

Now that you have some surface-level knowledge about Parabens, we need to jump onto the next crucial part. How is it exactly bad for the skin? Given below are a few reasons why Parabens are not the safest option for your skin. 

  • Cancer formation

There is some evidence that parabens can imitate the effects of estrogen, which has also been connected to the development of cancer and infertility. This raised concerns since it demonstrated that parabens, which are commonly found in personal care products, can enter our body tissues and stay there rather than just sitting on the skin. Due to these observations, parabens may be able to cause the development of cancer. 

  • Irritation 

Using products containing Parabens can cause the skin to become sensitive and prone to allergies. Regular exposure to Parabens can thus cause the skin to become irritated. 

  • Easy absorption 

Parabens can enter the skin very rapidly and easily get absorbed into the skin, which over time might be harmful.

What should you use instead?

Alternatives to Parabens

There are different naturally derived and milder alternatives to parabens that are used by brands these days. Look for any of these ingredients in your beauty product to ensure it is free of parabens.

1.Phenoxyethanol

It is a synthetic preservative derived from ethyl alcohol. It is a food additive and can be used for cosmetic preservation as well. It is considered a safe alternative as it is a food-grade additive.

2.Sodium benzoate

Sodium benzoate is widely used in salads, jams, and other types of eatables. It is natural and is considered a very safe preservative for all types of eatables. As a result, it is widely considered an alternative to parabens as well in cosmetics.

Oils and herbs

Oils and herbs are natural preservatives but they are not as effective as parabens. They can keep away bacteria and other microorganisms. However, the shelf-life of products with such preservatives is not as long.

If you’re looking to incorporate paraben-free skincare, you are at the right place. Here is a minimal skincare routine that you as well as your skin can enjoy:

In conclusion

When it comes to skin, it deserves the best. Now that you’re aware of Parabens and their potential harm, it is important for you as a consumer to research well before buying a product. As a consumer, you must be well aware and make conscious decisions when it comes to skincare. With so much information available, learning about the ingredients listed on the labels of our beauty products is simple. While the long-term impacts of Parabens are still being researched, in the end, it's our own decision to choose the right skincare. 

FAQs

1.How do parabens affect the skin?

Particularly on delicate or flaky skin, parabens can cause skin irritation and allergic responses. According to studies, parabens can be more inflammatory for people who already have psoriasis, eczema, or a history of contact dermatitis.

2.Are parabens cancerous?

The mechanisms of healthy breast cells can be impacted by parabens, which may also influence their abnormal growth and raise the risk of breast cancer. Several studies suggest that parabens may mimic estrogen and, as a result, promote breast cell growth.

3.Is paraben-free better?

Although many beauty products contain preservatives in one way or the other to make them have a longer shelf life, it is a safe option to use Paraben-free products. The label "paraben-free" is used to reassure customers that these toxic chemicals aren't present in the product's formulation. 

Somewhere, in some part of the world, there’s a girl highlighting a favourite line from a book and thinking, “Damn! I hope I remember this!” That’s Nikitha. Apart from reading, you’ll most probably find her stalking random Reddit threads, discussing ...

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Somewhere, in some part of the world, there’s a girl highlighting a favourite line from a book and thinking, “Damn! I hope I remember this!” That’s Nikitha. Apart from reading, you’ll most probably find her stalking random Reddit threads, discussing ...

Read more

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August 24, 2021

Sometimes DIY skincare can do more harm than good

When you’re inundated by skincare brands and products that claim to be your best option, it is fair to wish for simple solutions that promise to solve your issues in the most natural way possible—using ingredients from your kitchen. DIY skincare seems safe. After all, your grandmother has been relying on her aloe vera & cucumber juice face mask recipe for years. While it might be an attractive prospect, and may even feel like the cleaner way, it leaves too much to chance. If you’re mixing things up in your kitchen in lieu of well-formulated skincare products, you could be playing too fast and loose. Here’s why. It can mess with your skin’s pH and moisture barrier A coconut oil and sugar scrub sounds like the perfect idea, but may take a no-prisoners-approach to your skin instead. Sugar particles are all different sizes and shapes, and the sharp edges may cause micro-tears in your skin. This may actually cause you to over-exfoliate without realising. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic. So while you might be using it to brighten skin, it can clog pores and cause breakouts in the long run. Lemon—another DIY favourite—could damage your skincare barrier instead of fortify it. The skin has an acid mantle, which helps seal in moisture and keep skin firm. When it deviates too much from its median, the skin can get irritated. This can lead to acne, irritation and pigmentation. Lemon juice is super acidic (with a pH of 2) and can alter the skin’s pH, which is usually between 4-5, which–when messed with—can take a lot of TLC to nurse back to health. You can’t trust the source of your ingredients It is nothing like pharmaceutical-grade Vitamin C, which is formulated at a pH that won’t damage the skin. The neutralised ingredient is measured out and stabilized (and tested and then re-tested in a lab). This ensures that it won’t burn, sting or irritate the skin. It is also tested to make sure it works efficiently in that concentration or housed in that packaging. This is unlike a lemon from the grocery store, that could be non-organic or lying on the shelf for days. Even if the skincare product is using filtered lemon juice extracts, it’s in a well-researched high concentration to ensure efficacy. Fruits and vegetables aren’t shelf-stable Preservatives and parabens may sometimes get a bad rap. But they actually play a super important role in making topical skincare products safe, stable and actually effective. If you’re using eggs to mattify your skin or yoghurt to moisturise, you could inadvertently be introducing bacteria to your skin instead. They’re more perishable than you might assume. Natural doesn’t have to mean better, safer or more effective Consumers can sometimes fear the unknown, like ingredients they can’t read or pronounce (like niacinamide, glycosphingolipids and polyhydroxy acids). But these are high quality ingredients that do exactly what they promise to do, thanks to research and lab-testing. Plus, it is important to note that even in “natural” skincare products, ingredients have to be processed to make them safe enough to be bottled. Synthetic ingredients, on the other hand, are made in the lab to mimic these natural ingredients. These have any possible allergens or additions filtered out. Poison ivy is natural, but you don’t want it anywhere near your face, ever. It is important to note that skincare is not a one-size-fits-all, and the aloe vera + apple cider vinegar + mashed banana + peach mask that works to brighten your friends skin? It might totally backfire on you (or it might just not work at all!). Instead, do your homework. Read ingredient lists, research labels and hold skincare brands that have done the research, work and due diligence accountable. This is how you can get what you really signed up for. If you need help creating a skincare routine from scratch, read our guide Have more questions about ingredients that work together and don’t? You can reach out to us through WhatsApp!

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