Ageing claims put parabens back under the spotlight

[Guest guest]

Ageing claims put parabens back under the spotlight

 

 

 

By Simon Pitman

 

29/08/2005 - Researchers in Japan say that methylparaben, a commonly used

antiseptic agent for a range of cosmetics products, may cause skin to age when

it is exposed to ultraviolet rays.

 

The ingredient, which has been connected to occasional skin allergies and skin

sensitization in the past, is currently listed as appearing in 3,559 products in

the Environmental Working Group's database of cosmetics products sold in the US.

 

It is said to have a strong antibacterial effect, as well as providing a mild

stimulation affect that can be beneficial to skin's health.

 

It appears in a cross spectrum of products, including hair care, styling

products and body scrubs. But researchers at the Kyoto Prefectural University of

Medicine say that they are particularly concerned about a range of topical

facial cosmetics products that are often used on a daily basis.

 

Because the product is included in daily applied powders, foundations, sun milk,

and, ironically, anti-ageing products the researchers are particularly concerned

by their findings.

 

”I think women should avoid strong and direct sunshine when wearing cosmetics

containing methylparaben,” professor Toshikazu Yoshikawa told The Asahi Shimbun/

 

According to the newspaper report, researchers applied methylparaben to skin in

similar amounts to that found in cosmetics products. The skin was then exposed

to 30 millijoules of ultraviolet rays per square centimeter – an amount that is

deemed to be about the average daily amount of exposure during summer weather.

 

The researchers results showed that around 19 per cent of the exposed skin cells

died, while the fatality rate for skin that did not contain methylparaben was

about six per cent.

 

Furthermore the amount of lipid peroxide – a substance that speeds up the ageing

process – was said to be about three times the total of that found in the

untreated skin cells.

 

The researchers believe that these results would mean a higher rate of

wrinkling, dark spots and other signs of ageing such as diminished skin tone.

 

In the past the paraben chemical family has been linked to cancers –

particularly breast cancer in women. As a result manufacturers have been moving

away from the chemical as ingredients providers strive to come up with

alternatives.

 

 

 

Caroline Collard

 

World's first fully certified organic skin, body, oral and health care products

www.happyandhealthy.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Very interesting Caroline, thanks!

 

Especially since I have been using personal care

products from a company that specializes in safety,

and has the seal of approval from the

Cancer Prevention Coalition.

(I do not market Neways, but love the products)

 

However, they still contain small amounts of

parabens. It has never bothered me much since

I trusted the company.

They may be working on getting them out.

I shall keep a sharp eye out!

 

Good luck with your business, you are doing

good work.

 

Ien in the Kootenays****************************"To treat life as less than a miracleis to give up on it."~Wendell BerryRainforest Miracles:http://wildhealing.net****************************