If parabens and sulphates in shampoos, face creams and cleansers are safe, why are brands avoiding them?
- Cosmetics makers promote new products free of parabens, a preservative, and sulphates, but doctors say fears about the ingredients are overblown
- The companies are responding to consumer concerns that are not supported by science
To the delight of natural beauty fans, Kiehl’s has introduced a new version of its bestselling Ultra Facial Cream – one that doesn’t contain parabens. With its aim to remove parabens from its entire product line, the American cosmetics company, part of the L’Oreal group, joins a growing number of brands that are ceasing their use of the ingredient.
“While we take great care in evaluating each ingredient we use and are confident in our products’ safety, we are aware that there is public conversation encouraging consumers to avoid certain ingredients,” said a spokesman for Kiehl’s.
Another common cosmetic ingredient on the radar of health-conscious consumers is sulphates. But are parabens and sulphates bad for us? According to dermatologists, the answer is no.
Parabens are a preservative used to extend products’ shelf life. They are commonly used in drugs and cosmetics because they are cheap, biodegradable, chemically stable, and have antimicrobial properties and low toxicity to humans.
