HEALINGLIFESTYLES.COM | September 22, 2009

Let’s start with what it takes to keep a skincare product fresh. For eighty years, the chief preservatives used in skincare products have been parabens, a class of chemicals that includes methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben. Parabens act as bactericides and fungicides, thus helping avoid spoilage. Some plants, such as cucumbers and carrots, make parabens naturally in order to protect themselves from microorganisms. But most of the parabens added to skincare products are manufactured in the lab. Here’s where the issue gets complex. “As skincare products become more organic and natural, some preservative is necessary to prevent the ingredients from spoiling,” says Dr. Stuart Kaplan, a dermatologist with a private practice in Beverly Hills, California, and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California– Los Angeles. “When a product claims to be paraben-free, it does not mean it’s preservative-free. How do we know that what is replacing parabens will be better?”

Kaplanmd.com