Which paraben free products do you use?
Comments
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I downloaded a free app called "Skin Deep" from the Environmental Working Group on my phone. It allows me to scan bar codes on products while shopping to detect ingredients with no, low, moderate or high risk for three separate areas: cancer, reproductive toxicity and allergy risk (rated 0 best, 10 high risk for at least one area). If a product doesn't come up on bar code, you can also type in the name. If it's in their database, the app goes on to list which ingredients were classified low, moderate, high or none. It's not perfect (sometimes a high score is for allergy alone) and doesn't have everything, of course, but it's a great help. So is Sephora's website, where you can filter out parabens, fragrance, and all kinds of things. Ulta's site is so-so with no filtering search, and both sites are only skincare and cosmetics.
Are you familiar with paraben free skincare products or brands? I currently use Korres Greek Yoghurt Face Moisturizer and Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm, Korres Yoghurt Cleanser, Ology facial cleansing wipes (Ology only at Walgreen's, but love them!)
I'm looking for an anti-aging serum for under my face moisturizer. I'm finding some, but can't break the bank. I'd welcome good, paraben-free drugstore brands, although I can't tolerate fragrance. High end products don't guarantee paraben free, although I do find more paraben-containing products in drug stores.
Overall, whether it's skincare, toothpaste, lotions, shampoos, lotions, etc. ..... do you use paraben free products you'd recommend? I'm still researching recent articles, but none have been useful. Thanks!
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Great topic. Hope theres lots of input. I use organic coconut oil and am looking to expand its usage to more than just skin care. I have ditched toothpaste and simply use baking soda. There are so many things we actually don't need. Baking soda is wonderful to use on odours such as spilt milk.
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Hi Musical,
I checked my Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste and did not find any parabens. Is there another health reason you don't use toothpaste (using baking soda) or is there something I missed?
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These are perhaps silly questions, but once you get breast cancer...
1. What's the point of monitoring your Paraben intake?
1A. Is this Paraben topic only a concern for those that want to prevent local BC recurrence, such as those that choose lumpectomy (higher chance for local recurrence) vs. mastectomy (1-3% chance for local recurrence)?
1B. Or, are paraben's suspected of causing other cancers, or perhaps an even more controversial statement, is their any evidence that suggests paraben's contribute to metastasis?
2. I know there's numerous studies suggesting a connection, but are there any large randomized clinical trials in the pipeline?
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Parabens have estrogen-like qualities and a few studies have shown concentrations of parabens in breast cancer tissue. For those of us with estrogen-positive BC, we don't want to take in any extra estrogen which could potentially fuel a new tumor or recurrence. (I don't know anything about parabens and metastasis). Many women diagnosed w BC take hormonal drugs designed to block estrogen production, so adding in something estrogen-like seems to me a counterproductive and unnecessary risk.
The studies to date have not been definitive, and of course there are many factors leading to BC, but eliminating parabens is important to many of us. I, for one, am one of the growing number of women (note: diagnosed with BC or not) who choose to eliminate products containing parabens. In fact, if you visit a beauty site such as Sephora, they will often list whether potentially unhealthy chemicals (like paraben) are contained in the product. If they don't list this on their product page, it's likely in it. Many companies are going paraben free all across the board. The primary concern is parabens getting into our bodies through the skin, and the question remains as to why it's found in breast cancer tissue. I haven't personally seen info connecting or questioning parabens and other cancers, but do personally feel our environment (food we eat and products we use) are often implicated in the rise of all cancer diagnoses.
There are many unhealthy chemicals in products we ingest and apply. Parabens are just one. I try to eliminate potential risks, but realize I can't control everything unhealthy! I eat only organic now and do the best I can. I like to use the Skin Deep app to know which chemicals are potentially dangerous; it even lists reproductive toxic chemicals, which might affect some women of child-bearing age.
I'd google "parabens" and "breast cancer" if you'd like to learn more. Hope I've helped.
Sending you hugs and love. xo
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Someone suggest Skin by Ann Webb, and I really like it I use the unscented face & body lotion. Gluten, Paraben & Phthalate free.
Sharon
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johnsmith - even with a mastectomy there is breast tissue left behind, so parabens could potentially affect a local recurrence regardless of the surgical choice. Also, for distant metastasis, I believe that even if you mets to areas outside of the breast, it is a breast cell nonetheless and is affected by whether the receptors are fueled by estrogen, or an estrogen like substance.
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I have an app like that is called "Think Dirty" - it does the same thing on a scale of 1 to 10.
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I used to use colgate total. In my quest to choose healthier options, parabens were only one thing I was looking out for. I couldn't remember why I ditched toothpaste so I just had a look and I found a tube. (Most of the stuff I didn't want I tossed) Looked at the ingredients and saw no added sugar, that probably means it contains aspartame. My chemist told me if it says no added sugar its very likely it will have aspartame. I also have decided I don't want fluoride.
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Certain toothpastes are usually ditched because they have Triclosan.
Some of my paraben-free products are makeup by Tarte and Bare Minerals (have to read labels on the latter though), shampoos and conditioners from Whole Foods (can't recall brand name off top of my head), Tom's deodorant and toothpaste, and Yes to Carrots shower gel. I enjoy all of these as much as I did the brand I previously used.
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Mary625, whats Triclosan? its written on my colgate total.
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Also what about these? (which are on a tube of Colgate Sensitive of just found)
potassium citrate
sodium monofluorophosphate
zinc citrate trihydrate
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I really like the Kiss My Face brand of deodorants b/c they actually work and have such great scents. My favorite is patchouli.
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I only had the Environmental Working Group's "Skin Deep" app, so I downloaded the "Think Dirty" app you mentioned. I was on my iPad while searching the Think Dirty app, so had to input (versus using bar code) product names into their database. I'll have to download it on my iPhone to scan easier.
I was glad to see their database had significantly more products already researched. It's very similar to Skin Deep, but Think Dirty gives more detailed information on all chemicals and also offers alternatives, although most alternatives I wasn't familiar with.
I was disappointed to see that products and product lines I use that are clearly paraben free got very poor (high) ratings. I'll definitely use Think Dirty to become more informed, but there was virtually nothing in my paraben-free/no fragrance added skincare and cosmetic collection that ranked well...all were 6 on up to 10. Think Dirty is obviously targeting other chemicals they deem toxic or potentially toxic; the question is, in what quantity? It appeared to me (yet I don't know) that Think Dirty's standards were very high and almost impossible to meet.
I know there are tons of toxic chemicals in our products, but I can't imagine finding viable alternatives for all my paraben- and fragrance-free products they listed as bad with ratings of 6-10. I've never even heard of most of the alternatives. When I input Sure deodorant (as a bad case example), they didn't list Tom's deodorant as a cleaner alternative. My Tom's got a poor score of 9, mostly due to ? fragrance?
While I fully intend to use Think Dirty to stay informed on specific chemicals, I'll stick with my paraben free and no fragrance added products for now unless something really stands out in my research of the medical literature and consults with my oncologist.
Everything in our environment is so toxic; even our furniture, beds, linens, cleaners, cars, pollution, clothing, you name it, the list of potential and known toxins is virtually endless. At some point, we have to decide what we can truly avoid while attempting to live a reasonable life. I also adhere to a strict organic diet and fitness program and have very informative consultations with my physicians and oncologist.
Don't get me wrong.... I sincerely appreciate your mention of the Think Dirty app! I think it's great for education, but beyond eliminating the biggest confirmed offenders, unfortunately I can't fight every possible battle.
I see mixed reviews about the rankings on these apps. How do others feel about this?
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FDA description of Triclosan...
http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/uc...
The problem with this and other FDA chemical descriptions is that they don't consider the overabundance of an ingredient like Triclosan in a multitude of products we use every day, so that you're not just getting it in your toothpaste, but in hand soaps, dishwashing liquids, cosmetics, etc., etc., etc. FDA testing looks only for the quantity per product at which an ingredient could be toxic -- not potential cumulative exposure or buildup in our cells. Deanna
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Great point @ Deanna. The "etc. etc. etc" includes so many things we use and are surrounded by, a virtual exhaustive list .... furniture, pillows, linens, mattresses, carpets, the newer generation of receipts from stores (yes, receipts, toxic chemicals wear off), clothing, cleaning products, our very air, etc. etc. It's inescapable!
I was appreciative of @ HomeMom's mention of the Think Dirty app, which is significantly more informative than my Skin Deep app. Think Dirty also has tons more products in its database. While I was concentrating on no parabens and no fragrance in my purchases (fragrance a personal dislike of mine in skincare/cosmetics), the Think Dirty app scared me off at first until I saw that I could learn from it. A few of my paraben free products (and product lines) had numbers in the moderate range, but not for cancer toxicity. When I saw how they formulated their rankings and read about the chemicals, I was better able to use it as a learning tool. As the saying goes, "Everything in moderation...." and I might add "Some things not at all."
I can't avoid every known toxin in our environment, especially in minute quantities, but I can educate myself and add it all to my mix of keeping up with research, consults with my doctors, a strict organic diet and fitness.
By the way, for those of us who follow these healthy recommendations, do people ever seem to criticize you for going overboard? All I do is avoid parabens, eat strictly organic, follow the related literature... and some people look at me like I'm crazy. Like ..... "No parabens? What are parabens? Oh, that's crazy, lady! It's all around us!" I'd be curious if others hear things like this from family, friends or store employees, etc.
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I use Tom's of Maine toothpaste. I need to start looking at bodywashes etc. -
Hi ladies! This thread caught my eye as I am trying to go paraben free as well. I have been using Alba Botanical products for my moisturizer and face wash. Nice clean smells. I also switched to Physicians Formula makeup, but you still need to read the label as every one of their products is not paraben free. -
I forgot to mention Alba Botanicals. Yes, they are good. I've been using their shaving gel on my legs. Not much lather, but probably a lot less chemicals.
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My sister bought me MD Solar Sciences Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30. IT's a great moisturizing sunscreen for slightly oily skin and paraben free. A little bit hard to find: go to your better drug store i.e. Madison Avenue as opposed to Duane Reade.
I also find that by eating copious amounts of raw vegetables, kale, other greens, etc., I really don't need as much 'product' as I used before. I use less make up now then I did 20 yrs ago when I was 30. My skin looks just as good. (so far but I'm sure that will change in TIME…)
I have used Alvera deodorant for year, nay, decades now (pre bc). Natural deodorant.
I use Dr.Bronner's soaps for face, body, and hair. (! I know !). I still use L'oreal mascara but figure it's on the lashes not my skin. My problem still is getting rid of the grey strands…finding a good color/get rid of the grey hair color product….Suggestions welcome from anyone.
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@Deanna, thanks for the link.
@Byfaith, yes that type of attitude happens, especially regarding something most of us aren't in a position to see, test and thus prove. What I do is first ascertain how much a person has legitimate reason (ie they're a health professional) to put me straight on something if I've got it wrong. If a person is just blowing hot air, well, that's their problem. We do our best to avoid as much as possible.
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try lesstoxicguide.ca for product listing. I've tried eliminating paraben a, anything with a PEG, sodium Laurel sulfate, dimethicone, 1-4dioxane, talc. Lots of contradicting info out there. I use the EWG site for ingredient information. I will definately have to try that app Dirty....sounds awesome!
I have bought dr.Bronners soap and Soapworks glycerin bars
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Hi - I use Burt's Bees products - shampoo/conditioner, lip balm, day and night creams, body lotion. My father-in-law - who was a plastic surgeon at Mayo for many years - talked about parabens and the damage it can cause for a long time - he was also very anti-smoking due to operating on many throat cancers. After my diagnosis, I finally looked up paraben free products and started using Burt's Bees (which can be found at stores like Walgreen's, some grocery chains or I order from Amazon.) My tumor was highly estrogen positive and of course, I have no idea what really caused it so I cut back (way back) on alcohol consumption, lost some weight with a better diet, switched to Burt's beauty products and upped by Vitamin D3 levels (was 15 at diagnosis - now up to 40 and hoping I can get it higher). I still use some other products but Burt's Bees accounts for probably 95% of my use. Hope it helps, but it's all a crap shoot...you just have to do what you can to make your body as healthy as possible.
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I must admit, I have been leery of Burt's Bees ever since the company was purchased by Clorox in 2007. Clorox and natural skin care just seem like an odd match to me, but my prejudice could be unfair and more a reaction to the major food conglomerates that now own so many "natural" food (and probably cosmetics) labels, some of which really aren't very natural. Here's one article. It's easy to Google more extensive lists if you're interested:
http://www.businessinsider.com/small-natural-bran...
The one Burt's Bees product I still use and highly recommend is their Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. It's excellent, and noticeably helps my nails, as well as my cuticles. Deanna
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I use Neutragena Naturals for face creams and face wash. I use Mineral Fusion make up a lot. I also use Bare Minerals and Tarte for some things. Alba for body cream. Trader Joe's body/shower soap. Trader Joe's hand soap/pump. John Masters hair spray. Organix shampoo/conditioner. Nature's Gate deodorant. Some Physicians Formula eye liners. Tom's toothpaste. OPI nail polish. We also have an organic make up store locally and they make all of their own products. I have also used Dr Hauschka's make up too.
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such helpful info!
Andalou for face cream, face wash, eye serum
Coconut oil for body moisturizer
Toms of main toothpaste
Toms of main deodorant or cornstarch
Andalou or natures gate shampoo and conditioner
Naturtint for hair color
Dr Bronner for body wash or olive oil bar by kiss my face
Kiss my face or Burt's bees for lip gloss
Physicians formula and Pacifica for makeup
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How do you know which chemicals are parabens? I see some products say Parabens-free, but others don't. Should I assume that if they don't say parabens-free,, that they have them? There are so many chemicals in most products, and they have those freaking long names!
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The "Think Dirty" app on the iPhone is interesting, but it's alarming how many ordinary products are not in their database.
It's also disappointing to see some of the common everyday products (shampoo, hairspray, toothpaste) we use are rated "10" for carcinogenic.
I didn't have any luck with the "Skin Deep" app. It didn't have anything in their database.
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glennie, that is the rub (excuse the pun) don't they just love those long names. Don't know about you guys where you are but in NZ they LOVE to squish the writing up close together and use weird colour schemes so it makes it as hard as possible to read. I take a VERY strong pair of glasses to the supermarket which act like microscopes to read the labels.
Not only that but they have many names for the same thing. ie try seeing all the fandangled names they have for soy.
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you are so right about that. So many names and really small writing!!
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