Age Spots Caused By Parabens in Skin Care

In an ironic twist, the products we apply to our skin to prevent or remove age spots may in fact be the cause for them.

A study in Japan has shown that cosmetics that contain parabens causes the skin to age when exposed to UV rays. The researchers apply methylparaben, a popular chemical preservative, on the skin at the same amount it is found in cosmetics and exposed it to UV rays similar to normal sun exposure. The study then compared the impact of UV rays on the skin with and without the use of paraben.

The results where astonishing. 19% of the exposed skin cells with parabens died compared to 6% at skin not exposed with parabens. The results also showed 3 times more lipid peroxide (the oxidisation of lipids in the skin that causes cell damage) in the skin that was exposed with parabens.

The researches concluded, that the use of parabens in combination with sun exposure will lead the skin to age prematurely. The permanent damage to skin cells results in age spots, wrinkles and a loss of tone.

Parabens ( methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butyl-paraben), a chemical preservative is widely used in skin care and cosmetic products since the 1950’s. Parabens have not yet been banned, yet further studies have shown that parabens can mimic the hormone oestrogen, disrupting the body’s endocrine system (including the hypothalamus, ovaries, and thyroid) and may be linked to breast cancer.

Fortunately, many skin care companies offer now Organic Anti Aging Skin Care that are free of parabens and other chemical preservatives and synthetic ingredients.