"Researchers have found traces pf chemicals called parabens in every sample of tissue taken from 20 different breast tumors. Studies suggest that paraben, a chemical found in underarm deodorants, antiperspirants and other cosmetics, can seep into the tissue after being applied to the skin. This finding concerned researchers since parabens have been shown to be able to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen, which can drive the growth of human breast tumors. However, this study showed no direct evidence that antiperspirants were linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Further work is required to examine any association between estrogen and other chemicals found in antiperspirants and breast cancer, researchers say." - BBC News, January 11, 2004

What are parabens?

Parabens are food and pharmaceutical preservatives used in a wide range of household products: cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, deodorants and antiperspirants. Most commonly found parabens are methyl paraben, butyl paraben, ethyl paraben and propyl paraben. There are also commercial products such as Germall or Germaben that combine different forms of parabens in one product.

Preservatives are agents which maintain the stability of products by stopping the growth of bacteria. Any product that contains water needs to have an agent which will not allow the bacteria to grow. This is why preservatives are a must. None of us would want to put on a lotion that has an unpleasant odor and color!

Preservatives are not all harmful chemicals. There are natural preservatives such as essential oils, herbal extracts, botanical resins, alcohol, honey, sugar and salt. There are some products that do not contain water which don’t need preservatives, because in a way they are self-preserved. Two examples are Amrita’s Natural Lime Deodorant and Amrita facial honey Cleanser. Amrita is already using essential oils and alcohol in the deodorant and that’s why Amrita’s Lime Deodorant doesn’t have paraben preservatives.

What are potential dangers for health?

It is known that the female hormone estrogen is a factor in the formation and growth of some breast tumors. This is one of the reasons why breast cancer is more common in women that men. The researchers who carried out at the University of Reading argue that parabens work on the body in the same way as estrogen and may help breast cancer tumors grow.

Do parabens cause breast cancer?

Answer is we don’t know. A small study of 20 breast cancer tissues samples looked at the amount of a certain set of chemicals that had accumulated in them. The study was looking for the levels of a range of chemicals from underarm deodorants and antiperspirants, known as parabens. The research was carried out at the University of Reading on breast cancer tissue samples given by the Edinburgh Breast Unit Research Group.

The researchers found that parabens were present in 18 out of the 20 breast cancer tissue samples. Findings, however, can’t be interpreted as a direct link between breast cancer and parabens and deodorants/antiperspirants. All it means is that parabens are present in some breast cancers, but not necessarily cause breast cancer. Further research needs to be undertaken before any conclusions can be made.

Source: University of Reading

In the meantime, Amrita and Whole Aromatherapy invite you to use our paraben free- formulation - 100% Natural Lime Deodorant