subject: Is Your Skin Cream Killing You Softly? [print this page] A large segment of commercial daily care and personal products rely on preservatives to give them a longer shelf life. Unfortunately, these types of products have recently been linked to illness and disease, such as cancer and birth defects.
Do you think you aren't using anything so deadly? Think again. Once such ingredient, known as Paraben has been on the market for years in everyday items such as shampoo, deodorant, lotions and even toothpaste. Go ahead, check your bathroom. How many products did you find containing Paraben? I'll bet it's a lot. Don't forget to check your make up, moisturizing lotions and skin cleansers too. Now check your kid's shampoo.
As consumers, when we see an ingredient that is commonplace in almost everything we buy, we start to assume it must be safe for use. Don't fool yourself. For years children were given toys that used lead based paints, until the dangers were uncovered. Even then, it took quite a while for lead to be banned in the manufacturing of children's products. Today, we are facing the same situation with the use of dangerous ingredients like Paraben.
On the storm of outrage, many leading cosmetic companies have taken a close look at their ingredient listings and taken measures to reduce or eliminate harmful ingredients. Most mineral products contain no Paraben content. Organic products can also make that claim. Most of the brand name cosmetic and beauty care companies have invested in recreating product lines that are free of toxins like Paraben.
Granted, it will take some time before the removal of toxins in personal care items becomes the norm and not the exception. However, the voice of the consumer speaks volumes to improve this. Check your labels when you shop, and put anything containing Paraben back on the shelf.
In the beginning, you might pay a little more cash for non-toxic products. But in the long run, continuing to use these items on your hair, face, body and teeth will endanger your health and increase your chances of life threatening diseases. No matter how soft and supple that lotion makes your skin feel, if it contains things like Paraben, it's really just killing you softly.
