Cancer Risk and Parabens - All SkinMed products now Parabens free
Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bacteriocidal and fungicidal properties. They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturisers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal lubricants, topical pharmaceuticals and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives.
Their efficacy as preservatives, in combination with their low cost, their long history of safe use and the unproven efficacy of natural ingredients like grapefruit seed extract (GSE),[1] probably explains why parabens are so commonplace.
Occurrence
Some parabens are found naturally in plant sources such as methylparaben from the fruit of the blueberry shrub,[2][3][4] where it acts as an antimicrobial agent.
Synthesis
All commercially used parabens are synthetically produced, although some are identical to those found in nature.
Toxicology
Parabens are considered to be safe because of their low toxicity profile and their long history of safe use; however, a few recent controversial studies have begun to challenge this view. Studies on the acute, subchronic, and chronic effects in rodents indicate that parabens are practically non-toxic. Parabens are rapidly absorbed, metabolised, and excreted.
Allergic reactions
In individuals with normal skin, parabens are, for the most part, non-irritating and non-sensitising. Parabens can, however, cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis in individuals with paraben allergies, a small percentage of the general population.
Breast cancer
One controversial scientific study reports that parabens were found in samples of breast tumours.[9] The validity of the conclusions of this study have been debated in the scientific literature.[10] Nevertheless, this study has fueled the belief that parabens in underarm deodorants or other cosmetics migrated into the breast tissue and contributed to the development of the tumours. However, no causal link with cancer has ever been proven and so far there is no scientific evidence to support any link with any form of cancer. A recent review of the available data has concluded "it is biologically implausible that parabens could increase the risk of any estrogen-mediated endpoint, including effects on the male reproductive tract or breast cancer" and that "that worst-case daily exposure to parabens would present substantially less risk relative to exposure to naturally occurring endocrine active chemicals (EACs) in the diet such as the phytoestrogen."[12] In addition, the American Cancer Society has concluded that there is no good scientific evidence to support a claim that use of cosmetics such as antiperspirants increase an individual's risk of developing breast cancer.[13]
The above mentioned studies have resulted in scientific debate that in turn led to popular controversy largely propagated by mass e-mail. The controversy has led to some concerns (both over its carcinogenicity, as well as its estrogenic effect, being expressed over the continued use of parabens as preservatives, although the scientific community has disproven any correlation with cancer and mostly agree that any causation is improbable. There is also significant scientific consensus that any estrogenic effect caused by the doses received from consumer products are insignificant compared to natural estrogens and other xenoestrogens.[14]
The mainstream cosmetic industry believes that parabens, like most cosmetic ingredients, are safe based on their long term use and safety record and recent scientific studies. Public interest organisations which raise awareness about cosmetic ingredients believe that further research is necessary to determine the safety of parabens (see also precautionary principle).The concerns have led to a significant minority shift from their usage by natural personal care companies seeking alternatives.
Alternative viewpoint
Chemicals from underarm deodorants and other cosmetics can build up inside the body, according to a study.
British researchers have found traces of chemicals called parabens in tissue taken from women with breast cancer .While there is no evidence parabens cause cancer, the scientists have called for the use of parabens to be reviewed.
The cosmetics industry insists that parabens, which are used as preservatives and are approved for use by regulators, are safe. Dr Philippa Darbre and colleagues at the University of Reading carried out tests on samples of 20 different human breast tumours. Writing in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, they say they found traces of parabens in every sample. Parabens have a very, very good safety profile.
Chris Flower,
Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association
Their tests suggested the chemicals had seeped into the tissue after being applied to the skin.
"This is the first study to show their accumulation in human tissues," said Dr Darbre.
"It demonstrates that if people are exposed to these chemicals (parabens), then the chemicals will accumulate in their bodies." 'Drive tumours'
Dr Darbre said there may be reason for people to be concerned about the findings.
"Their detection in human breast tumours is of concern since parabens have been shown to be able to mimic the action of the female hormone oestrogen," she said.
"Oestrogen can drive the growth of human breast tumours. It would therefore seem especially prudent to consider whether parabens should continue to be used in such a wide range of cosmetics applied to the breast area including deodorants."
Dr Philip Harvey, European editor of the journal, said the findings should be interpreted cautiously.
"Further work is required to examine any association between oestrogenic and other chemicals in underarm cosmetics and breast cancer."
We have an enormous amount of information which supports the safety of these chemicals and their use in cosmetics.
Chris Flower
Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association
Chris Flower, director general of the UK's Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association, welcomed the study.
"It is welcome additional information and we will want to examine the findings in detail," he told BBC News Online.
"However, parabens have a very, very good safety profile. We have an enormous amount of information which supports the safety of these chemicals and their use in cosmetics."
Caution
Delyth Morgan of Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: "This extremely small study does not demonstrate a direct causal link between deodorant or antiperspirant use and developing breast cancer.
"Further research is needed to establish the source of the chemicals found in the breast tumour samples and what, if any, the relationship is to breast cancer."
A spokesman for the UK's Department of Trade and Industry said government scientists would examine the findings.
"Parabens are approved for use in the UK and in Europe and all the information we have suggests they are safe to use.
"However, British scientists will examine this study."
Dr Richard Sullivan, head of clinical programmes at Cancer Research UK, said there was no evidence that deodorants were linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
He said the latest study was very small, and had by no means produced conclusive results.
"The increased incidence we are seeing of breast cancer can be explained by many other factors," he said
Health-Report Comment:
Well here we go again. We have been warning people about the potential toxic effects of parabens for ages and how the increase in breast cancer and all cancers could be directly attributed to chemicals in the body. (This includes of course the shocking revelations that HRT was directly responsible for another 20,000 women to contract cancer recently.) Not just from using underarm deodorants either. Virtually all so-called "skin Care" products have dangerous chemicals in them. Parabens are just one of a large bunch of toxic chemicals that no-one has any idea of what the long term effects are if you use them every day on your skin.
The hollow platitudes of reassurance from the chemical industry are starting to sound like a stuck record as more and more damning evidence is mounting against them and their toxic assault on the human species. Despite what they say, the studies have never been done on the long-term effects of any of these chemicals let alone the effects of perhaps ten or twenty or 100 chemicals interacting in the body.
SkinMed's new range of products are now parabens free. Please note that some of the range may still contain parabens. Please check with an advisor before ordering.
