Parabens

here's a quick read of what Parabens are and the controversy surrounding the use of them in cosmetics. Technically they are preservatives, and the controversy is similar to that surrounding alternative medicine. Pharmaceutical companies are threatened by alternative sources of medicine/preventative medicine because ultimately they think it picks their pockets, so to speak. The same is here with potentially harmful chemicals is makeup/skincare. Those cosmetic companies in the mainstream are going to argue the validity of these studies and discoveries because of the fact that the information can harm their profits. Perhaps nothing is certain but studies are showing enough proof of how Parabens and other chemicals, which i will get in to later, are if nothing else at least contributing to the rise in illness's such as breast cancer.

Breast cancer

Several peer-reviewed studies have reported results that indirectly support a correlation between the presence of parabens and the occurrence of breast cancer. High levels of parabens have been detected in breast tumors,^[11][12] with one UK-based study finding high concentrations of parabens in eighteen out of twenty samples of breast tumors.^[12]These findings, along with the demonstrated ability of parabens to mimic estrogen, a hormone known to play a role in the development of breast cancers,^[12] have led some scientists to conclude that the presence of parabens does correlate with the occurrence of breast cancer,^[6][13] and to call for investigation into whether or not a causal link exists.^[14] The lead researcher of the UK study, molecular biologist Philippa Darbre, reported that the ester-bearing form of the parabens found in the tumors indicate that they came from something applied to the skin, such as an underarm deodorant, cream or body spray, and stated that the results helped to explain why up to 60% of all breast tumors are found in just one-fifth of the breast - the upper-outer quadrant, nearest the underarm.^[6] "From this research it is not possible to say whether parabens actually caused these tumors, but they may certainly be associated with the overall rise in breast cancer cases. Given that breast cancer is a large killer of women and a very high percentage of young women use underarm deodorants, I think we should be carrying out properly funded, further investigations into parabens and where they are found in the body," says Dr. Philip Harvey, an editor of the Journal of Applied Toxicology, which published the research.^[6] A 2004 study at Northwestern University found that an earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis related to more frequent use of antiperspirants/deodorants and underarm shaving.^[15] "I personally feel there is a very strong correlation between the underarm hygiene habits and breast cancer," said immunologist Dr. Kris McGrath, the author of the study.^[13]

This research has fueled a popular belief that the parabens in underarm deodorants and other cosmetics can migrate into breast tissue and contribute to the development of tumors.

No direct evidence of a causal link between parabens and cancer, however, has been shown. A 2005 review of the data available at that time concluded "it is biologically implausible that parabens could increase the risk of any estrogen-mediated endpoint, including effects on the male reproductive tract or breast cancer" and that "worst-case daily exposure to parabens would present substantially less risk relative to exposure to naturally occurring endocrine active chemicals in the diet such as the phytoestrogendaidzein."^[16] The American Cancer Society also concludes that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to support a claim that use of cosmetics such as antiperspirants increase an individual's risk of developing breast cancer; the ACS, however, goes on to state that "larger studies are needed to find out what effect, if any, parabens might have on breast cancer risk.^[17]

While current studies do not causally link parabens with tumors, neither do these studies demonstrate that parabens are safe; the long-term health effects of exposure to parabens are essentially unknown.^[18]

[edit]Estrogenic activity

Animal experiments have shown that parabens have weak estrogenic activity, acting as xenoestrogens.^[19] In an in vivo study, the effect of butylparaben was determined to be approximately 100,000 times weaker than that of estradiol, and was only observed at a dose level approximately 25,000 times higher than the level typically used to preserve products.^[20]The study also found that the in vivo estrogenic activity of parabens is reduced by about three orders of magnitude compared to in vitro activity.

The estrogenic activity of parabens increase with the length of the alkyl group. It is believed that propylparaben is estrogenic to a certain degree as well,^[21] though this is expected to be less than butylparaben by virtue of its less lipophilic nature. Since it can be concluded that the estrogenic activity of butylparaben is negligible under normal use, the same should be concluded for shorter analogs.

Some estrogens are known to drive the growth of tumors; however the estrogenic activity and mutagenic activity of estrogens are not the same, with the latter dependent on free radical chemistry and not estrogen receptor activity.^[22] Nonetheless, this study has elicited some concern about the use of butylparaben, and to a lesser extent other parabens as well, in cosmetics and antiperspirants. A 2005 safety assessment of parabens concluded that cosmetics containing parabens do not, on the basis of currently available evidence, pose a health risk; because of the low doses involved and the low probability that parabens will penetrate into the tissue, remain intact, and accumulate there.^[7]

[edit]Sun exposure

Studies indicate that methylparaben applied on the skin reacts with UVB leading to increased skin aging and DNA damage^[23][24].

[edit]Regulation

Nevertheless, the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) stated in 2006 that the available data on parabens do not enable a decisive response to the question of whether propyl, butyl and isobutyl paraben can be safely used in cosmetic products at individual concentrations up to 0.4%, which is the allowed limit in the EU.^[25]

[edit]Controversy

The above-mentioned studies have resulted in scientific debate that in turn led to popular controversy largely propagated by mass e-mail.^[26][27] The controversy has led to some concerns (both over possible carcinogenicity^[28] as well as estrogenic effects^[29]) being expressed over the continued use of parabens as preservatives.

The mainstream cosmetic industry believes that parabens, like most cosmetic ingredients, are safe based on their long term use and safety record and recent scientific studies.^[30] Public interest organizations which raise awareness about cosmetic ingredients believe that further research is necessary to determine the safety of parabens (see also precautionary principle).^[28] The concerns about endocrine disruptors have led consumers and companies searching for paraben free alternatives.^[31] The ingredient grapefruit seed extract that is promoted as a natural preservative was identified with the preservative methylparaben.^[1]

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