|
      |
|
9/6/2005
|
Aging claims put parabens back
under the spotlight
|
| |
By
Simon Pitman
29/08/2005 - Researchers in Japan say that methylparaben,
a commonly used antiseptic agent for a range of
cosmetics products, may cause skin to age when it is
exposed to ultraviolet rays.
The ingredient, which has been connected to occasional
skin allergies and skin sensitization in the past, is
currently listed as appearing in 3,559 products in the
Environmental Working Group's database of cosmetics
products sold in the US.
It is said to have a strong antibacterial effect, as
well as providing a mild stimulation affect that can be
beneficial to skin's health.
It appears in a cross spectrum of products, including
hair care, styling products and body scrubs. But
researchers at the Kyoto Prefectural University of
Medicine say that they are particularly concerned about
a range of topical facial cosmetics products that are
often used on a daily basis.
Because the product is included in daily applied
powders, foundations, sun milk, and, ironically,
anti-ageing products the researchers are particularly
concerned by their findings.
”I think women should avoid strong and direct sunshine
when wearing cosmetics containing methylparaben,”
professor Toshikazu Yoshikawa told The Asahi Shimbun/
According to the newspaper report, researchers applied
methylparaben to skin in similar amounts to that found
in cosmetics products. The skin was then exposed to 30
millijoules of ultraviolet rays per square centimeter –
an amount that is deemed to be about the average daily
amount of exposure during summer weather.
The researchers results showed that around 19 per cent
of the exposed skin cells died, while the fatality rate
for skin that did not contain methylparaben was about
six per cent.
Furthermore the amount of lipid peroxide – a substance
that speeds up the ageing process – was said to be about
three times the total of that found in the untreated
skin cells.
The researchers believe that these results would mean a
higher rate of wrinkling, dark spots and other signs of
ageing such as diminished skin tone.
In the past the paraben chemical family has been linked
to cancers – particularly breast cancer in women. As a
result manufacturers have been moving away from the
chemical as ingredients providers strive to come up with
alternatives. |
|
|
