A number of recent studies have questioned the claim that parabens are ‘safe’.

One of the concerns rests with the ability of parabens to mimic the hormone estrogen.  This hormone has been linked to incidents of cancer.

Companies using these products in their manufacturing claim they are fine to use them, because the percentage of the chemical compound is so tiny and that it does not enter into the body.   But is this true?

• What is the effect of long term low level exposure?
• With such widespread use of products containing the chemical, can they build up, and can they cause cancerous cells in the body to develop?

Over half of anything placed onto our skin will enter into our blood supply.  A recent study found parabens in tumours from breast cancer.  They have also been identified in healthy human subjects.  This disproves the argument of manufacturers – they are able to penetrate the human skin, intact and without breaking down.

Whilst these compounds are continually used so widely in everyday products there is an immediate need to ascertain their health effects.  Do they promote incidence of breast cancer, interfere with male fertility and increase the development of malignant melanoma?

Are These Dangers Being Covered Up?

For many companies these compounds are an essential part of their manufacturing process and they are guilty of playing down the potential risks of using them.  Ask a scientist their view and they will warn of the dangers but say that there still needs to be further tests.  History has shown there are many incidents of products being used and their harmful side effects only being fully understood many years later.  Remember asbestos and thalidomide....

At present we are still waiting for further studies to be conducted and in the meantime manufacturers will continue to use this product they deem ‘safe’.   However too many questions remain unanswered.

At Katharine Botanicals we use natural preservatives that keep our products 100% safe for you and your family. 

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