The concept of parabens
Cosmetic companies put preservatives to preserve cosmetics. One of the most popular cosmetic preservatives is parabens. Parabens are known to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in very small amounts.
There are several types of parabens. Among them, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben are the most commonly used ingredients in cosmetics.
Do parabens cause cancer?
Parabens became a major controversy after it became known that large amounts of parabens were detected in breast tissue cells in breast cancer patients. There was a suspicion that it was absorbed by applying a certain product, or that the absorbed product was not excreted into the body but went to the breast and affected the breast cells.
The bigger problem is that parabens are used not only in cosmetics in general, but also in the toothpastes that we use on a daily basis. Toothpaste stays in your mouth after you use it and is easy to enter your body when you swallow saliva. The controversy that brushing your teeth can also cause cancer was enough to make people anxious.
Types of parabens to watch out for
But are parabens really carcinogenic? We can't say for sure, but it's possible. The Danish Ministry of the Environment has banned the use of two parabens, propylparaben and butylparaben, in cosmetics for infants under the age of three, believing that they can cause endocrine disruption. Endocrine disorders mean that the body's homeostasis is impaired. The European Union (EU) has also banned substances such as isopropylparaben and isobutylparaben since November 2014.
Types of parabens that are harmless to the human body
However, depending on the type, there are parabens that are not dangerous. You may know blueberries as a superfood due to their immunity-boosting, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. In blueberries, methylparaben occurs naturally. Methylparaben and ethylparaben are also preservatives that have been allowed to be used in Denmark.
Our country currently allows the use of all types of parabens, including propylparaben and butylparaben, in cosmetics and toothpaste. If you are concerned about your health, it is best to carefully read the ingredient list of the product and use cosmetics that contain only methylparaben and ethylparaben.
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