Ever wonder why some cosmetic products contain natural preservatives, others parabens, still others none at all? If a product is water based it has the potential for the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast. Preservatives are used to limit microbial and bacterial growth in a product, which is very important.
It is not safe or necessary to use synthetic preservatives, but avoiding them may be more difficult than you would think. Parabens are widely used as preservatives in cosmetic and food products. Although more research is needed to understand the full depth of the dangers of using parabens, there is enough data to justify great concern. Parabens are believed to mimic estrogen in our bodies, and European researchers recently found them in the tumors of breast cancer patients. While it is not believed that parabens are the cause of breast cancer, researchers now know that they can be absorbed by our skin and accumulate in breast tissue.
Some plant and essential oils, herbal extracts and vitamins are natural preservatives. Packaging in tubes and pump bottles helps in the preservation of a product, as does the use of the purest ingredients. Some manufacturers have developed their own unique and effective preservation systems. Parabens are not the answer.
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