Avalon Organics | Parabens

FIVE ELEMENTS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

CONSCIOUSNESS OF ORGANICS

INGREDIENT PHILOSOPHY

PARABENS

SIGNATURE INGREDIENTS

Parabens

Parabens, short for "para-hydroxybenzoate," are a class of preservatives widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. There are five types of parabens used in cosmetics.

While more research needs to be conducted, there is evidence to warrant caution in the use of, or exposure to, parabens. Unfortunately, reducing exposure to parabens is easier said than done. That's because widespread use of parabens in consumer products makes them "ubiquitous in the environment and our bodies due to multiple routes of exposure," according to Jeannie Rizzo of The Breast Cancer Fund.

A report published in the Journal of the American College of Toxicology in 1984(1) estimated that parabens could be found in over 13,000 cosmetics products, including shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and sunscreens. That's in addition to food and pharmaceutical products.

Although there is no definitive consensus on the danger of parabens, Avalon has adopted a 'precautionary principle' and has committed to removing parabens from all our formulations as part of our Consciousness in Cosmetics mission. By removing parabens, our products will exceed the European Union's strict standards for cosmetics. The EU has banned more than 1,300 ingredients that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, birth defects or fertility problems. Parabens are not on this list.

All Avalon Organics products are now available in paraben-free formulations. Over half of the Alba Botanica products are now available in paraben free formulations, and the remainder of the Alba Botanica line will be available in paraben free formulations by 2008.

Since we are introducing these new formulations, both original formula products and new formula products will be available at retail stores for some time to come. If you prefer the paraben-free versions, please look for products with Avalon Organic's Consciousness in Cosmetics seal, or check the product's ingredient list to be sure.

References

1) Elder RRL (1984). Final report on the safety assessment of methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylaraben and butylparaben. Journal of the American College of Toxicology 3:147-209.