What’s the deal with parabens? Are parabens risky to our health?
We’ve all noticed the term “paraben-free” popping up on curly hair products, but what exactly are parabens?
Parabens are a type of preservative that is often used in beauty products to extend their shelf life. However, they have come under scrutiny in recent years due to their possible health risks. Let’s take a closer look at parabens and whether or not we need to avoid them.
Table of Contents
What Are Parabens?
Parabens are synthetic chemical preservatives that play a big role in keeping many of the products we use daily fresh and safe for longer. You’ll commonly find them in beauty and haircare products, as well as in foods and even medications. But what exactly are they, and why are they such a big deal?
Parabens are added to products to extend their shelf life by stopping mould and bacteria from growing— a must-have property for products that hang around in our bathrooms, fridges, or cupboards for weeks (or even months) at a time. And the science behind their effectiveness is pretty interesting. Parabens have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and this is how they protect what’s inside the bottle or package.
Why Are Parabens Often Found in Curly Hair Products?
Curly hair products tend to contain more water than other types of hair products, which makes them more susceptible to mould and bacteria growth.
As a result, manufacturers often add parabens to curly hair products to help prevent this from happening.
In addition to this, parabens are cheap and they work well.
Are Parabens in Hair Products Safe?
Parabens have come under fire in recent years for their potential health risks.
Studies have suggested that parabens can disrupt the body’s hormone balance and potentially increase the risk of cancer, while other studies have not been able to confirm these findings. The jury is still out on whether or not parabens are safe for humans so the question ‘are parabens risky?’ is unfortunately still open to discussion.
Should We Avoid Parabens?
The decision of whether or not to avoid parabens is a personal one.
Some people feel comfortable using products that contain parabens, while others prefer to err on the side of caution and avoid them altogether.
If you’re asking ‘are parabens risky?’ and you’re concerned about the potential health risks, there are plenty of paraben-free options available on the market.
Top Tip: If you’re trying a paraben-free routine, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your products’ expiration dates—natural alternatives don’t last as long!)
Paraben-Free Product Recommendations
If you do want to avoid parabens altogether, here are 2 of my favourite styling products that are paraben-free:
This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you buy any of the products through the links provided. It doesn’t affect the price you pay and helps to run this website. Thank you x
Noughty Wave Hello Curl Defining Cream
Paraben-free and silicone-free. This Curly Girl Method-approved product ticks lots of boxes! It gives a beautiful, soft hold.
Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm
This is so light and gives an amazing gentle hold for waves and curls. It also smells incredible! As well as paraben-free, this is vegan, silicone-free, cruelty-free, CGM-approved, and ethically sourced.
In fact, all Noughty products and all Curlsmith products are free from parabens.
There are also apps and websites that can help you assess ingredients in individual products.
Top websites to quickly check curly hair product ingredients
Speak soon,
Lauren xx
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