{And why Honey Girl Organics does not use them}
These days many of us are concerned about what goes into our food. We concern ourselves about growth hormones, genetically modified organisms, and pesticides. Increasingly, studies show the positive effects of having an all (or mostly) organic diet, opposed to one that has been infected with harmful chemicals. But when it comes to our skin care, scientists and media outlets seldom mention it. With a growing focus on what goes into our bodies, we must also concern ourselves with what goes onto our bodies.
One harmful ingredient found in many common skin care products is parabens. Parabens are usually used as preservatives in cream products. If you use at least one product that is non-organic, you are likely to still have parabens on you even after washing off the cream.
What are Parabens?
Chemically, parabens are “esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid”. The “R” next to oxygen replaces hydrogen with an alkyl group (methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc). Parabens include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and more. Most parabens are usually deviations from the original chemical compound, making it more difficult to spot on ingredients labels. Parabens are a cheap and popular preservative used in skin care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and edible products. Their main purpose is to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, which makes products last longer than they would naturally last.
Why should I be concerned?
In 2004, a study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology noted that there were significant amounts of parabens in breast tissue afflicted with breast cancer (Dabre et al.). Though the link between breast cancer and parabens is not yet conclusive, there is still cause for concern. Parabens are endocrine disruptors. They attach onto estrogen receptors, possibly causing “human breast tumors to grow” (Breast Cancer Foundation). Some parabens, such as methylparaben, may react with the sun’s UV rays and lead to skin degeneration (Handa et al., 2006). Parabens’ mode of eliminating bacteria and fungi are still not fully understood by health officials and chemists. The bottom line is that putting parabens into products poses an unknown risk for the consumer.
Is my product Paraben-Free?
Be sure to read the label on the back of your product. Products that use parabens are likely to contain other harmful chemicals with unfamiliar terminology and can get lost in ingredients lists.
Honey Girl Organics is USDA certified organic, cruelty-free, gluten-free, not tested on animals, and only contain organic & natural ingredients.
All products purchased through Honey Girl Organics are guaranteed to be 100% paraben free. Honey Girl Organics does not believe in taking chances with their customers’ health and well-being, and always utilizes the most natural ingredients available. If concerned with any ingredients, the Honey Girl Organics’ webshop provides a list of components for each product before purchasing. One can also peruse the images that Honey Girl Organics provides for their items on their site. Here are a few examples:
Left: Face & Eye Crème Ingredients List. Right: Body Crème Ingredients List
Aware of the harmful effects of chemical ingredients, Honey Girl Organics utilizes natural alternatives whenever possible. Natural preservatives such as Vitamin E, Lemon and other Essential Oils are used in place of artificial options. These ingredients actually feed the skin rather than put the body at risk. The skin-health of customers is always of utmost importance to the company. After all, everything that you put onto your body gets absorbed into your bloodstream.
Browse the site today to find more natural alternatives to paraben infested products.
Written by HGO's Creamery Girl Tiffany Shelton
