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Understanding Parabens: History, Uses, and Impact

In recent years, the term “paraben-free” has become a common term in the beauty and personal care industry. But what exactly are parabens, and why has there been such a significant shift towards products free from them? This blog post explores the history of parabens, their uses, potential health impacts, and the growing paraben-free movement.

    What Are Parabens?

    Parabens are the most widely used preservatives used in personal care products. Used in nearly 85% of cosmetics alone, they are used to stop the growth of bacteria, fungus, mold, and other microbes in makeup, creams, and other products (Wild Naturals, n.d.). Scientifically, parabens are a group of synthetic compounds that are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid. Common parabens you may see in ingredient lists include: Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, and Butylparaben (Safe Cosmetics, n.d.).

    Parabens are known not only for their ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold, but also for their ability to, in turn, extend the shelf life of products. Because paraben-based preservatives are cheap to produce and further reduce company costs by allowing them to keep their products on the shelves longer, it's no wonder why these compounds have become so prevalent in our world. 

     A scientist formulating chemicals like those with parabens

    The History of Parabens

    The use of parabens dates back to the early 20th century. The first patent for a paraben-based preservative was filed in 1924 by the chemist Ferdinand Tschumi and his colleagues at the Swiss chemical company, Givaudan (Wild Naturals, n.d.). By the 1950s, parabens had gained widespread acceptance due to their effectiveness and low cost.

    For decades, parabens were considered safe and were a staple in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and even food industries. However, as scientific understanding of their potential effects began to grow, so did their scrutiny.

     

    How Parabens Are Used

    Parabens are primarily used because they are a cheap way to prevent microbial contamination in products that have a high water content. This includes products like:

    • Household Products & Cleaners: laundry detergents and room sprays 
    • Cosmetics: Lotions, makeup, and sunscreens
    • Personal Care Products: Shampoos, toothpastes, and deodorants
    • Pharmaceuticals: Over-the-counter medications and ointments
    • Food & Drinks: breads, sauces, and soft drinks requiring preservatives

    Parabens can be absorbed through the skin, ingested, and inhaled, depending on the type of product in which it is present. In all cases. however, the parabens are ultimately metabolized and excreted through the urine and bile. Testing for levels of Parabens within the body, therefore, is conducted through urinalysis. That said, chronic exposure to parabens can also lead to accumulation in the fat tissues, which are not routinely metabolized out of the body (ewg.org, n.d.). 

     

    The Negative Effects of Parabens

    A patient lying in a hospital bed

    Health Concerns

    Hormone Disruption: Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, sleep, and mood. Disruption can occur when a substance mimics or blocks hormones, leading to imbalances or changes in hormonal levels and functions that can result in serious issues like cancer and early onset of puberty in children. Concerningly, estrogen - a hormone involved in regulating many bodily functions - can be mimicked by parabens in both males and females (ewg.org, n.d.). Notably, propylparaben can alter the expression of genes and potentially accelerate the growth of breast cancer cells (Okubo 2001). As noted in Environmental Working Group's article, What Are Parabens?, Additionally, a University of California-Berkeley study has found that even low doses of butylparaben (which was previously not considered to be harmful) "worked in conjunction with other cell receptors to switch on cancer genes and increased the growth of breast cancer cells (Pan 2016)" (ewg.org, n.d.).
    Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience irritation or allergic reactions from skin contact with parabens, particularly those with sensitive skin. Reactions can include redness, itching, and inflammation.
    Endocrine Disruption: Beyond mimicking estrogen, parabens may affect other hormonal systems in the body. While the impact on endocrine function is still under investigation, there is concern over their cumulative effects, including:
      • Developmental malformations: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (i.e. EDCs) can affect fetal growth and development, such as causing pre-term births, low birth weight, and non-descended testes in young males (ewg.org, n.d.).
      • Reproductive problems: EDCs can interfere with egg and sperm production and may contribute to fertility issues.
      • Nervous system disturbances: EDCs can affect the nervous system in children, and may contribute to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 

      A woman with her head in her hands in front of the computer

      • Immune system disturbances: EDCs may diminish the immune response to vaccines. 
      • Neurological and behavioral changes: EDCs may cause a reduced ability to handle stress. 
      • Other health issues: EDCs may be associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, thyroid cancer, and premature breast development in girls.

         

        Environmental Impact

        Parabens are also a concern for ecology and the environment. They are not readily biodegradable and can accumulate in aquatic environments. And, just as parabens can negatively impact human bodily and neurological function, research indicates that they can also disrupt the endocrine systems of other animals, which can in turn affect their reproductive systems and, ultimately, population dynamics as a whole (Lange et al., 2011). Various studies have so far shown such wide reaching effects as parabens both reducing sperm counts in rats and killing coral in our oceans (ewg.org, n.d.).

         baby sea turtle approaching the ocean shore

        The Paraben-Free Movement

        While the bad news is that these ultra-common preservatives can produce truly countless issues in our bodies and our environment, the good news is that our bodies largely metabolize them quickly. This means, therefore, that we can see meaningful results in our paraben levels quickly with changes to our levels of exposure. In one study, following just a three-day intervention, when adolescent girls used products without parabens, propylparaben levels in urine dropped by about 45% by day three (ewg.org, n.d.). These are promising results, showing that if we read labels and switch to products without parabens, we can reduce our levels in just days, and therefore, reduce our chances of contracting the myriad health issues associated with parabens when committed to these purchasing and lifestyle changes. 

        Companies are also starting to get with the program: in response to growing health and environmental concerns, many companies have embraced the paraben-free movement and have begun shifting to alternative preservatives that omit parabens. Paraben-free preservatives include, but are not limited to: Dehydroacetic Acid (DHA), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, and Natural Preservatives. Additionally, labels such as “paraben-free” have become popular product tags for companies to use to both attract health-conscious consumers and to expedite the tedious - and often confusing - process of reading and translating ingredient names for consumers.

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          In summary, parabens have been integral to the preservation of consumer products for nearly a century, valued for their efficacy and affordability. However, concerns about their  health and environmental impacts have fueled the paraben-free movement. While the scientific community continues to investigate the full extent of these effects, many consumers have chosen to be proactive and are opting for paraben-free products. For us at Humble Abode, we choose not to take any risks with your health, which is why our clean home fragrance line of room sprays and diffusers is always paraben free. Explore our products and shop with confidence here.

          For more information on parabens, we recommend checking out this article from the Environmental Working Group, which we found to be the most comprehensive and informative on the topic: https://www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens.

           

          References

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