Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in a number of products, primarily cosmetics and pharmaceutical. Common parabens include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. They can be found in shampoos, moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical pharmaceuticals, spray tanning products, and toothpaste. Parabens are also used as food additives.
Parabens were considered safe until relatively recently, when evidence mounted that suggests parabens affect the hormonal system by mimicing estrogen, the hormone that promotes cell growth. The promotion of cell growth links parabens with cancer, and parabens have actually been detected in human breast cancer tumors which suggests a correlation between using products containing parabens, and breast cancer. The FDA still maintains that use of parabens can be considered safe.
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