Paraben Safety

Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in cosmetic products. Despite the cosmetic industry's long-term use of parabens, they continue to be controversial due to a belief that parabens may pose a health risk to consumers.

Types

• Methylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben are the most common types of parabens found in cosmetics such as makeup, lotions, cleansers, shampoo and other hair care products. Products frequently contain multiple parabens, often in tandem with other types of preservatives.

Levels

• The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an industry-sponsored organization, claims that paraben use in cosmetics is safe up to levels of 25 percent. Cosmetics typically contain parabens at levels of between .01 percent and 0.3 percent.

Potential Cancer Link

• A 2004 study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology found the presence of parabens in cancerous breast tumors. Because parabens can act similarly to estrogen, which is linked to breast cancer, the safety of using parabens in cosmetic products was called into question.

Research

• Clinical studies have yet to provide a definitive link between parabens and breast cancer. Due to the very low levels of paraben in cosmetic products, many researchers and medical experts maintain that even maximum exposure to parabens via cosmetic products is unlikely to produce enough estrogenic activity to increase a consumers' risk of cancer.

Paraben-Free Products

• By law, retail cosmetic companies are required to list ingredients on their products, which allows consumers to avoid using products with parabens. Many products made without parabens are available, and some companies have discontinued the use of parabens in certain products. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, most brand-name antiperspirants and deodorants are now paraben-free.