Paraben Free Batty's Bath Products

You may have noticed that “paraben free” labels have been popping up in the Batty's Bath Online Shop and wondering what that is all about. I've decided to go paraben free with many of my products and in this blog post, I'll share a little bit about why I've decided to make that change.

What are Parabens?
Parabens are the most widely used preservatives in personal care products; they stop fungus, bacteria and other microbes from growing in your favourite creams and makeup, especially in the moist, warm environment of a bathroom. You’ll find them listed on thousands of personal care products such as shampoos, mascara, foundations and body lotions.

What's the Problem?
"Over the past few years, a debate has been building among scientists, product safety regulators and cosmetic manufacturers about whether these ubiquitous chemicals, used for almost 70 years, may actually be harmful to our health.

Some of the questions being asked: Is the rising incidence of breast cancer linked in part to the fact that parabens, which have a weak ability to mimic estrogen, have been found in breast cancer tumours and can be isolated from other body tissues? Are declining sperm counts and increasing rates of male breast cancer and testicular cancer related to the fact that these chemicals can be absorbed into our skin, potentially disrupting our endocrine systems?

We don’t know yet. But some researchers feel there may be reason for concern. One of the most vocal is Philippa Darbre, a senior lecturer in oncology and researcher in biomolecular sciences at the University of Reading, in England. She specializes in the impact of estrogen on breast cancer. In 2004, Darbre’s team published a pivotal study that detected parabens in 18 of 20 samples of tissue from breast tumour biopsies. Her study didn’t prove parabens cause cancer, only that they were easily detected among cancerous cells. The study was criticized for not comparing paraben levels in normal tissue, but nevertheless, the results called out for more investigation.

• “We’ve known for more than 25 years that estrogen exposure is linked to breast cancer development and progression; it is the reason tamoxifen [commonly prescribed to women with breast cancer] is used to disrupt estrogen receptors,” says Darbre. “So it is not such a leap to be concerned that repeated, cumulative, long-term exposure to chemicals that weakly mimic estrogen might be having an impact.”

She notes that research has found that roughly 55 percent of all breast cancer tumours occur in the upper outside portion of the breast, the section closest to the underarm. The U.S. National Cancer Institute has partly dismissed the claim, maintaining that at present, there is no decisive evidence to conclude that the parabens in these products are linked to breast cancer, but that more research is needed." - A.Mullens, Best Health Magazine.

So What Does All That Mean for Batty's Bath Products?
It means for now, I'm playing it safe where I can. Many formulas are extremely difficult to create without parabens, particularly lotions and creams, but for other products like deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, body wash, and bubble bath, the switch comes without as many complications. This is why there has been a "make over" of several of my products to insure they are as safe as they can possibly be. I'll continue to stay educated on the most up-to-date research reports and findings to ensure that my family, friends, and supporters are using the highest quality products - both in safety, ingredients, and presentation.