You will see several of our products contain trace amounts of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (Trademark name: parabens - derived from Parahydroxybenzoic acid and gum benzoic).  Parabens are extremely effective preservatives and have been widely used since the 1920s.

Judi Vance, well known speaker, author and publisher of the Cosmetic Heath Report,  has this to say about parabens in her book Beauty to Die For (toExcel Press, 2000): "These ingredients...may be irritating to the skin if more than 5 percent is used in a formula.  Many commercially made cosmetics contain a higher percentage.  Most health conscious manufacturers use .15 of 1 percent.  Check to see where it is on the label...Effective against bacteria, fungus, yeast and mold." (pg. 215)

Parabens and all their cousins are the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics, and if included and used correctly by the formula manufacturer, are safe to use. Various allegations are made against parabens, and these claims range from their being a cause of breast cancer and liver problems, etc.

Most of these claims are not applicable to cosmetics, as parabens are only used topically and not systemically, with due reference to the comments above regarding the quantities in the formulations.

Also of important note is that the European Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (COLIPA) affirms  parabens are hydrolyzed in the skin and that they do not enter the bloodstream. Parabens are not officially identified or listed as an endocrine disrupting chemical by any government or regulatory organization, even in the strict European Union.

Here at The Pampered Panda, our formulas contain the lowest paraben amounts possible to deliver a safe, well preserved product to you. Parabens are not an issue in the trace amounts we use.

In summary, commercial skin care and cosmetics manufacturers typically add parabens at 5% or greater, dramatically increasing any potential health risks after prolonged exposure.  We will always keep the use of parabens only at levels required to ensure your safety, and there is no scientific evidence to support any health risk claims at these trace amounts.

We will continue to research and develop alternative methods of preservation, but in the meantime it's paramount to deliver a safe, bacteria- and fungus-free product to you, wouldn't you agree?

If parabens are still of concern to you, our Paraben Free products (marked as PF in the catalog) are a great solution.