I have already written about the parabens controversy. Parabens are used in cosmetics, personal care products and food because they are very effective preservatives. Unlike other preservatives, they have a long safety history and based on current studies they do not pose a risk to human health.
One of the concerns about parabens is that they release formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is the stuff used to embalm dead bodies. It is also used to preserve dead things. It is very toxic and carcinogenic. Our bodies produce very small quantities of formaldehyde. However, you certainly don’t want to add more to your body by using products containing ingredients that release this nasty stuff.
Parabens by themselves or combinations of parabens do NOT release formaldehyde. However other preservatives can release formaldehyde and so can parabens when mixed with them. Here’s the list of these ingredients that you should avoid:
2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
DMDM Hydantoin
Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea (and Urea in general)
Hydroxymethylglycinate
Quarternium-15
Trishydroxymethylnitromethane
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
This post is so helpful! I recently found out that the artificial sweetener, aspartame turns to Formaldehyde in your body. I used to drink tons of Diet Pepsi until I heard that, and now, nothin’ but water =S
You certainly know your stuff :]
I’m glad you like the post. I like researcging info on ingredients and I’ve learnd so much since starting the blog. I think there is a lot fo alarming and misleading info on ingredients out there and it’s really important to do some research and see if there is any truth in these claims instead of just believing everything you read. I didn’t know about aspartame too, thanks for sharing that. I’ll have to go and check if I have any poducts containg it so I can throw them away.
A really good sweetener and sugar alternative is xylitol. It’s low GI, half the calories of sugar, isn’t a neuro-toxin like aspartame and it’s actually good for your teeth!
Xylitol sounds great, I will definitely look for products that contain it the next time I go shopping. Thanks for all the info. Afte I read your previous comment I discovered I had bought some chewing gums containing aspartame. I had only chewed 2 gums as I don’t particularly like chewing gums, but they went straight into the bin.
I just realised my super-expensive No. 7 4-in-1 cleansing make-up remover wipes have 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol in. Arrgh! How is that good skincare?! I can’t believe they charge £6 a pack, too.
I’m going to go and complain tomorrow. I bookmark this post and check all my stuff =O
That’s too bad! Unfortunately there are so many products containing these ingredients and some are quite expensive. I can’t understand why they won’t use safer ingredients. Hope they’ll listen to you, let me know how it goes.
Enjoyed your post on formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. I teach embalming at a mortuary science college in California. We have begun demonstrating a new non-toxic, organic embalming compound called Aardbalm. It is manufactured in the UK. The manufacturers of Aardbalm are looking for safe alternatives to formaldehyde – the mortuary industry being one of the larger users of the preservative. Thanks again for your informative blog.
Hi Dave and thanks for you comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and it is great to know they are finally looking for safe alternatives to formaldehyde.