Paraben

Parabens are esters of para- hydroxybenzoic acid ( PHB short - ester). They have a good antimicrobial and antifungal activity and are therefore often used in the pharmaceutical industry, in cosmetics and in certain foods as a preservative.

Synonyms

Other synonyms are used Metagin, Nipagin, Nipasol, Propagin, parahydroxybenzoate, oxybenzoic / oxybenzoate and hydroxybenzoic acid / hydroxybenzoate.

Use

Products in which, for example, parabens are used are:

• Drug to both the external and internal treatment
• Cosmetics such as creams, lotions, makeup, lipsticks, shaving lotions, deodorants, soaps, sunscreens, depilatories, shampoos,
• Food in jelly coating of cooked, cured or dried meat products; Pies and snack on cereal or potato base and coated nuts as well as in confectionery ( excluding chocolate )
• Tobacco, here, permits the tobacco regulation, the use of E 214, E 215, E 216 and E 217, and
• In the technical area for the preservation of oils, fats, glues, shoe polish.

In foods, only methyl paraben, ethyl paraben and their sodium salts are approved as food additives. They are indicated by the numbers E 214/215 and E 218/219.

Cosmetic products are mainly preserved by methyl and ethyl paraben. Less frequently, propyl and butyl paraben are used. On the substances isopropyl, isobutyl, phenyl and Pentylparaben only very rarely used should be dispensed with entirely due to lack of data. Benzylparaben is not permitted as a preservative in cosmetic products.

Application safety of cosmetic products

The use of parabens in cosmetic products has been in recent years with various adverse side effects associated. This is of particular importance that parabens can reach not only cosmetics, but also medicine and food into the body. Parabens are often criticized because of the induction of allergies. Based on current knowledge, the allergenic potential of parabens is rather to be regarded as low. According to the latest data (2011 ) of the IDU ( Information Network dermatological clinics ) "come parabens rarely as a cause of contact sensitization to cosmetics in appearance."

British scientists ( Darbre et al. ) Reported in a publication that they could prove parabens in breast tumors. However, the authors did not conduct studies on parabens content through in tumor-free tissue of affected patients. Likewise, no data was available on whether the patient had used before the appearance of tumors at all parabens -containing deodorants. Despite these weaknesses, the study warned against the use of parabenhaltigen deodorants. The warning was based on the fact that parabens have a similar structure to the hormone estrogen, which could possibly stimulate the cells of the breast tissue to uncontrolled growth. However, a study on exposure showed no association between the use of antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer. In addition, the underarm hair removal distinction was made between different methods, even here, there were no correlations. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment ( BfR) and the Scientific Advisory Board of the European Commission's (SCCP ) also have the work of Darbre et al. checked and see no relationship between the use of deodorants and breast cancer parabenhaltigen.

An EU study has found that phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs) and parabens can disrupt hormones of male fetuses and children and could thus lead to feminization. According to the current state of scientific knowledge is a relevant hormonal effect, parabens under the conditions prescribed for use is not expected.

Based on the European Commission's assessment, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment ( BfR) has summarized the current state of evaluation of parabens in a statement in January 2011. Thus, methyl and ethyl paraben are to be considered within the permitted range of concentrations considered safe. The estrogenic potency is very low. For butyl and propyl paraben is proposed because of the higher estrogenic potency of a maximum concentration of 0.19 %. Up to this concentration, the use shall be considered as safe. No action is required to meet specific requirements for products for children. On the isopropyl, isobutyl, pentyl and Phenylparaben anyway rarely used should be provisionally omitted because of the incomplete data situation.

Alternative medical point of view

From the perspective of alternative medicine use parabenhaltiger products should be avoided as long as possible health problems can not be excluded.