(Fri-18-11-2011, 14:01 PM)Fred Wrote: I noticed today my Cadum Shower Gel had the words "Sans Paraben" I knew the word Sans in French meant without but I have never noticed the word Paraben.

So I have just been doing a bit of research about Paraben. I was surprised when I put it in Google, I was expecting it to be a French word but it's not. Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. They are also used in cosmetics, skin care products, medications, foods, and industrially in oils, fats, shoe polishes, textiles and glues.

Other names for Parabens are: Methylparaben (E218), Ethylparaben (E214), Propylparaben (E216), Butylparaben, Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate), Methyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzate), Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate), Propyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate), Butyl-parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate), Parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate).

Where you can find them: Cosmetics: Foundations, powders, concealers, Eye makeup (liners, shadows, mascara), Facial makeup (blushes), Bronzes, Makeup removers, Lipstick, Quick-dry nail products. Pharmaceutical/self-hygiene products: Topical dermatological medications, Eye, ear and nose drops, Rectal and vaginal medications, Bandages, Local anaesthetics, Moisturizing lotions and creams, Dentifrices, Sunscreens, Cleansers and other skin care products, Antiperspirants and deodorants, Soaps and toothpastes. Food products: Marinated fish products, Salad dressings, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Spiced sauces, Processed vegetables, Blueberries, Frozen dairy products, Jams and jellies, Soft drinks and fruit juices, Baked goods and candies.

OK so what? well I went a bit deeper in my research and this is what I found:

#1 Parabens have been shown to cause allergic reactions and are one of the leading causes of contact dermatitis and rosacea.

#2 In addition they have been found in extremely low concentrations in breast cancer tumors (an average of 20 nanograms/g of tissue).

#3 Studies indicate that methylparaben applied on the skin may react with UVB leading to increased skin aging and DNA damage.

#4 They mimic estrogen in the body which disrupts the delicate hormonal balance that our bodies, and there is some concern that parabens affect the development of the fetus.

All this led me back to why they put Sans Without Paraben on my Shower Gel. well in France methylparaben are banned or restricted for use. So I have now checked out some other products and out goes the Golgate, Witch Hazel Gel, and even the Dexeryl that my Dermatologist gives me.

Call me paranoid if you like but if I can find alternative products without, then I will.

(Fri-21-09-2012, 13:26 PM)Hanna Wrote: Thanks for this Fred, I would never of seen it, I'm shocked at what gets put into food!!.....how is it in blueberries???

I think reading this has also made me think more about what moisture cream to look for if I for another round of UVB!

Fred you are great for getting all this stuff on the forum, keep up the hard work