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| Parabens are hiding not only anti-antiperspirant and make-up but shampoo, body wash, hand soap, and baby care products, too. |
Parbaens have been making plenty of news these days and for good reason. These chemical compounds are widely used as anti-microbial agents in cosmetics, skin care products, pharmaceuticals, and even foods. Used as preservatives to extend shelf-life of various products, once in the body, act as estrogen imitators, meaning that they trick the body into thinking they are helpful hormonal bodily substances, and congregate in tissues where estrogen is high - often the breast tissue.
Adolescent girls and women have been found to have highest levels of these compounds in their systems, which could be linked to the liberal usage of cosmetic and personal care products that this demographic tends to use. According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in North America (after skin cancer). Parabens have been found in high concentration in most breast tumour biopsies. The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer during her life is about 1 in 8. Yikes!
When these substances are known to be present in tumours, even if not yet deemed carcinogenic, my instinct is to avoid them. The problem is that most personal care products do contain parabens to help them stay fresh on the shelf for longer. I look carefully on the labels - sometimes requiring a magnifying glass - for ingredients that end with 'paraben'. For example: Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben.
It is intimidating trying to make the healthiest choices for personal care products; there is so much to watch out for! Read the infographic below to learn about some commonly used nasty ingredients. Hopefully you, unlike myself, are able to feel empowered by your new found knowledge instead of overwhelmed and dumbfounded. To counter my anxiety, I make my own natural skin cleansing products.
Over the course of the next several posts I will be releasing the recipes for my own skin care regime that I have been developing over the past decade. All the ingredients used are found easily in grocery stores or pharmacies, are natural, incredibly inexpensive, and when used as described, very effective. You will look radiant, and your conscience can rest knowing that you are making the healthiest choices. Plus, there is another sweet bonus: you will be saving loads of money.
Dana's Natural Skin Care Regime
My skin care regime includes the following items, and I will release all of their top-secret recipes to you over the next few weeks. Links are provided here to the recipes already published.- Gentle Daily Exfoliating Powder
- Evening Oil Cleanser & Make-up Remover
- Calming Facial Toner
- Firming & Nourishing Facial Mask
- After Sun Gel
- Recommended Products
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Find Dana's Gentle Daily Exfoliating Recipe here. |
Take care of that epidermis until I next see you in the clinic,
Dana
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| This infographic was found here |
Sources:
- http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/radiation-chemicals-and-breast-cancer/parabens.html
- http://courses.washington.edu/bioen327/Labs/Lit_SkinStruct_Bensouillah_Ch01.pdf
- http://www.sheknows.com/sheknows-cares/articles/823419/10-most-common-cancers-in-the-us
- http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2012/06/parabens-breast-cancer-2299994.html
- http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/overviewguide/breast-cancer-overview-key-statistics
- http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5971/12-Toxic-Ingredients-to-AVOID-in-Cosmetics-Skin-Care-Products-Infographic.html
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