Paraben preservatives have long history of use in personal care products because they prevent the build-up of mold, fungus and bacteria in leave-in and rinse off products, effectively extending the shelf life of these products beyond 6+ months. To avoid parabens, it’s important to read labels and avoid ingredients ending in the word “paraben” including: methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben and propylparaben. Parabens are easily absorbed through the skin, can affect reproductive function, and increase the risk of cancer in both men and women. Please see https://www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens for more detailed information.
As consumers have become more aware of the risks associated with paraben exposure, manufacturers have started to replace paraben preservatives with other chemical preservatives like the following:
Formaldehyde releasing chemicals including: 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Imidazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15
Today, most of the hair care products used in hair salons, schools, gyms, and homes are owned by global beauty conglomerates - such as L’Oreal (Garnier, Fructis, Kérastase, Redken, Matrix, Pureology), Unilever (TRESemmé, Dove), Estée Lauder (Aveda, Bumble & Bumble), Procter & Gamble (Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essenses), Johnson & Johnson (Neutrogena, Aveeno, Rogaine), Hankel (Deva Curl, Schwarzkopf), Coty (Wella, Nioxin, Sassoon, Clairol), Avon, Colgate-Palmolive, & Revlon. Each time a beauty brand is acquired or relabeled, it goes through a value engineering process to make it is less expensive to produce. Each new formulation is designed to increase the profit margin and extend the products’ shelf life. The net result is to reduce the quality of ingredients by replacing natural (and more expensive ingredients) with cheaper synthetic and chemical ingredients.
When you visit The Organic Stylist, you to can relax knowing that I only use 100% clean, organic, and natural products, to give you healthy, eco-friendly hair care solutions, free of harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients. Schedule a consultation to learn more and get all your questions answered before your service.