No Paraben No Sulfates No Sodium Chloride. What this really means.

10 Things No One Ever Tells You About: Parabens and Sulfates

by MICHELLE GROSSMAN

We’re constantly hearing the buzz around parabens and sulfates (mainly, to avoid them). Beauty products try to draw us in by being marketed as “sulfate-free” and “paraben-free,” but do we really know what all of that even means? Before you give into the hype, it’s best to be informed — and even better to know which ingredients to look for and which to stay away from. Read on below and know exactly what you’re getting into.

1. They’re chemicals found in beauty products. Parabens are chemicals that have been used since the 1950s to prevent bacteria and act as a preservative in deodorants, lotions, lipsticks, shampoos, scrubs, and more. Sulfates are effective cleansing and foaming agents that can be found in toothpaste, shampoo, and body washes, among other products.

2. There’s a chance that they’re harmful. Studies have shown that some parabens can mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen in the body’s cells, and while estrogenic activity is associated with certain forms of breast cancer, parabens have been found present in breast tumors. Sulfates are concerning because they were found to break down proteins, which can lead to a degenerative effect on the cell membranes. Sulfates were also found to leave residue in the heart, lungs, and brain.

3. But, it hasn’t been proven. However, so far there is no scientific evidence to prove that parabens have any link to cancer, and The Cosmetic Ingredient Review recognizes sulfates as safe up to a maximum concentration of 50 percent if they are properly rinsed off the skin.

4. You can still take the “safe not sorry” route. If you’re weary about taking a chance using products that contain these chemicals, then don’t! There’s a wide range of beauty products that are paraben- and sulfate-free — even at the drugstore.

5. Sulfates are bad for your hair. They can cause a number of problems for your hair including drying, irritating your scalp, fading your color, and even hair loss.

6. However, sulfate-free products aren’t necessarily better. Sulfates are really good at getting rid of any build up in your hair, and with that they also take away natural oils and can leave your hair rough and dry. However, just because a product is sulfate-free, doesn’t mean you still won’t run into these problems. Many beauty companies have swapped out sulfates for other chemicals, which can sometimes even be worse. To ensure that sulfate-free products won’t further damage your hair, look for products that use fruit or vegetable-based cleansing ingredients.

7. Sulfates can be easily identified. Sulfate is the ingredient that causes shampoos to lather. If your shampoo lathers, it contains sulfates. For a foolproof way to know if your product contains sulfates, you’ll see “sulfate” listed pretty high up on the ingredients label.

8. Parabens are a little trickier to notice. While the most common parabens also have “paraben” in their name — butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben — they can also be listed as Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates.

9. There are alternatives. If you’re looking to steer clear of products that contain parabens, opt for ones that use ingredients such as ethylhexylglycerin (which is plant-derived) or phenoxyethanol, another alternative to parabens, a naturally derived ether alcohol.

10. Use in moderation. No matter what, chemicals are chemicals. Everything is best used in moderation so it’s always a good idea to switch up your beauty routine and rotate between different products!Read more: http://stylecaster.com/beauty/parabens-sulfates-dangers/#ixzz4ERqOVJSC