Why Parents Are Avoiding Parabens in Their Kid’s Shampoo

Our skin is the largest organ in the human body. It’s sensitive to all sorts of external stimuli. And while it might seem like a solid barrier against chemicals that might do us harm, it’s actually quite porous. 

All sorts of compounds are absorbed by the skin and introduced directly into the bloodstream. We commonly think of our skin as a brick wall, but it’s more like a sponge, blocking some objects while drinking up others. Would you be comfortable building your house from a sponge?

Why Should You Avoid Parabens?

Your skin’s permeability is helpful when it comes to medicines and other skincare treatments with beneficial results. But it also means we need to be careful what we rub onto our bodies because everything we apply to it may end up inside.

This is why more and more parents are avoiding parabens in their kid’s shampoo and products. Studies are mixed on these substances. Older studies found no appreciable risks, while newer investigations uncover dangerous properties that make people think twice about paraben safety. 

Concerned parents, particularly if their children have eczema issues, should choose shampoo for eczema that’s paraben-free. The same goes for paraben-free baby eczema cream — the risk associated with parabens and their skin-aggravating effects mean it’s worth steering clear of them.

What the Science Says About Paraben Safety?

Parabens are potent preservatives that have been used in personal care products to extend their shelf life since the 1920s. Studies performed in the ‘50s found little reason for concern leading to an explosion in their use.

However, some modern researchers have questioned the validity of those earlier studies, making the point that modern research methods are more inclusive of all possible dangers.

Scientists have determined that parabens are endocrine disrupters, meaning they can interfere with the body’s normal hormone balance. More specifically, they mimic estrogen, leading to an increased risk for breast cancer and tumor development generally. Testosterone levels can also be impacted, leading to low sperm counts. In children, these dangers are amplified because of the vital role hormones play in their continuing development. 

Studies haven’t established an exact causal link between parabens and childhood issues, but the evidence is mounting that these compounds aren’t as safe as previously assumed.

However, at the low percentage that parabens is found in cosmetics, the Expert Panel of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an internationally respected group of scientists, still affirms that this preservative ingredient is safe. The expert panel composed of dermatologists and toxicologists looked at male reproductive toxicity and various estrogenic activity studies to make this determination.

In summary, when poring through internet research you will find some sources that will say parabens are bad and some that say parabens are just fine.

Are Parabens Listed on Products?

Yes, according to the law, it is essential that all the ingredients, especially parabens, must be listed on the label. However, there are different types of paraben that might be used in the products and are often listed as:

• Ethylparaben
• Methylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Isoproylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Isobutylparaben 

Some of these parabens are safe to be used in low quantities, while others can be dangerous. The most hazardous ones, according to the EWG’s Skin deep are

*0 being the least dangerous and 10 being the worst one to be used.

Choose Paraben-Free Products

Extending the shelf life of food is a worthy use of preservatives. It’s less clear whether extending the life of shampoos and cosmetics are worth the risk parabens may pose. This is doubly true for people who suffer from eczema. 

While the compounds can usually be applied to healthy skin without issue, they can cause allergic dermatitis on skin already damaged by injury or an active eczema flare-up.

If you or your child suffers from eczema, choose an eczema cream that’s free of all parabens. The same holds for eczema shampoos, body washes, and soaps of all stripes. The benefits of parabens don’t outweigh the risks. Educate yourself and make the best decision for your family’s safety.

If you are searching for paraben-free products for your child, then shop at Happy Cappy Products. These products are free from parabens and other skin-irritating chemicals such as fragrance, dye, sulfate, and phthalates. 

Conclusion

Even though parabens were considered safe in the past and were used in various household and skin care products but new research is showing results that this chemical can be dangerous for the skin and health, especially for kids.

These can cause skin issues like allergic reactions and health issues like hormonal imbalance. To be safe, it is best that you switch to Paraben-free shampoo and skin care products for your kids. 

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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