Parabens have been used for more than 80 years in various everyday products as a very favourable preservative and are unfortunately still found here in large quantities. They have an antimicrobial and fungicidal effect and are listed as preservatives in the European Cosmetics Regulation. Parabens are still very popular as they do not affect the physical long-term stability or the sensory properties of a formulation. They are also widely used as germ-inhibiting substances in foods, pharmaceuticals, tobacco products and other consumer goods.
In chemical terms, these are the salts and esters - i.e. derivatives - of the 4 (para)-hydroxybenzoic acid, which is where the name comes from. In general, parabens are heavily criticised by the public. Their use is highly questionable, which correlates with health risks that have been analysed in various studies. Consumers therefore avoid products containing parabens for understandable reasons. In terms of quantity, they are limited in the Cosmetics Regulation depending on the application and the corresponding derivative (0.1 - 0.4 %). The concentration used should be as low as possible in order to avoid any hazards. Even if parabens occur in nature in the form of plants (e.g. cherries, blueberries or cucumbers), their use in natural cosmetics is not permitted.
Parabens are used in virtually all cosmetic formulations. They are used in both water-based and fat-based formulations to protect the aqueous phase from microbial contamination. In particular, methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl parabens and their sodium, potassium and calcium salts are used. The first two in particular are frequently used in cosmetics.
Source: Wikipedia
The risks of parabens
The risk of breast cancer is most frequently discussed: Parabens are similar to oestrogen in their molecular structure and can therefore be integrated into the hormonal cycle, especially in women. This can lead to uncontrolled growth of breast tissue, for example, which can result in breast cancer.
The two parabens propylparaben and butylparaben in particular can have a hormonal effect on the organism. They can lead to reproductive disorders and the so-called feminisation of men: According to studies, parabens lower testosterone levels and sperm production. With this in mind, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) states that the parabens methyl and ethyl parabens are still acceptable within the permitted concentration range. However, butyl and propyl parabens have a higher oestrogenic potential and are subject to stricter regulations - they are completely banned in baby products, for example.
In addition to the hormonal effect of parabens, there are others such as contact allergens - parabens can therefore trigger allergies.
Furthermore, studies have shown that children of women who used paraben-containing cosmetics during pregnancy have an increased risk of obesity.
Alternatives to parabens
The majority of consumers would like to consciously avoid the use of parabens and similarly criticised products. Parabens can be replaced in their function as preservatives by much more compatible products. Our natural multifunctionals - substances not listed as preservatives - which nevertheless provide your product with antimicrobial protection, are primarily among these.
Notable examples include organic acids such as levulinic acid, anisic acid and cinnamic acid (Cosphaderm LA-T, Cosphaderm pAS natural).
Glycols such as our COSMOS- and Natrue-tested 1,3-propanediol (Cosphaderm Propanediol natural) or our natural pentylene glycol (Cosphaderm Pentiol natural) have germ-inhibiting and positive effects for the skin.
