Are Parabens as Innocent as they Seem?

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Parabens are antimicrobial agents that serve a role as preservatives in various cosmetic products. 

Products like makeup, moisturizers, nail polish, hair care products and shaving products. ^[1]   They are used to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold in order to protect both the consumer and product. ^[1] The paraben that is most commonly used is propylparaben. ^[3]   Although typically the product ingredients label list more than one paraben in a product and often used in combination with other types of preservatives to better protect against a broad range of microorganisms. ^[1]  

So what are the critics warning us about?

It is criticized by bloggers on the internet that parabens are carcinogenic and cause endocrine disruption and causes developmental and reproductive toxicity. Certain types of parabens seem to reduce sperm count and lead to reduced testosterone, although these effects are dependent on the dosage. ^[2]   Due to their ability to mimic estrogen, it is considered to have negative effects on the endocrine system, however, the binding ability that it has to estrogen receptors is very weak, therefore not imposing a real threat. ^[2] Its link to cancer states that there is a higher likelihood of causing skin cancer due to the daily application, this leads to increased concentrations of paraben in the skin cells and in combination with other chemicals it has the potential to influence the development of cancer. ^[2]   

Personally, viewing the sources on these blogs, there has been no legitimate research that has been done to conclude that parabens cause substantial damage to the health of humans. ^[1]   The FDA is still currently in the process of researching the damage it causes if any. It is not banned in any places in North America. ^[1]   From what has been proven the only red flag that I came across was that parabens are not water soluble and can penetrate the skin. As a result, repeated application would mean continuous exposure. ^[3] But since there is no proven toxicity from long-term exposure, this is safe to use.

So yes, they are as innocent as they seem, till further notice from the FDA.  

References

[1] https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Ingredients/ucm128042.htm

[2] http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/parabens/

[3[ https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Propyl_4-hydroxybenzoate