To Paraben or not to Paraben, that is the question?

Janet says: I was having one of those days. I knew that if I smelled one more thing I would go over the edge. In fact, I would be in need of one of those restraining jackets with the buckles down the back (in pink, of course). I tried washing my face using a paraben free baby product that is labeled no fragrance. I was so hypersensitive that I could actually smell it. Needless to say, it bothered me. It did more than that~~it got to me. In desperation, I had to fall back on Magick Botanicals shampoo. I’ve used it on my face before, and since it has no fragrance at all, I had no reaction. I mention this for a reason: Magick Botanicals uses parabens in their products. Of course I am concerned with the paraben issue; but on that day, having no scent was most important.

That brought to mind a comment that Nancie & I wanted to post from an email sent to us by one of our readers. A quote from that email is below:

“Hi, I just viewed the website and I don’t personally recommend this product: Magick. Some or all of their products contain Methylparaben & Propylparaben which causes cancer. Please do your research… thank you.”
T. (Los Angeles)

We responded as follows: “…We anticipated this subject; as we too have this concern. We will be putting this link from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) http://www.ewg.org/node/21551 and the FDA link http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/cos-para.html on our resource page for individuals that need more information about parabens. From many other articles we found, there is still much debate on the subject. As we mentioned this recommendation is strictly from a scent viewpoint. As consumers we must make an informed choice. We have given our readers the http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com link to put in their individual products into the database search to learn what is in their favorite products. Why didn’t you put this is the comments section of the blog? It is a good subject to get people thinking about the product they are buying…”

After Nan & I sent this email, we found another good discussion on parabens on a post at Essential U Blog from Essential Wholesale. Here’s one more link to add to the paraben discussion. http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/03/paraben-puzzlem.html.

Balance is the Key

We say:  As we were contemplating our first product recommendation from Magick Botanicals, Nancie and I discovered the http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com. I have to admit my attention was diverted from the goal of “fragrance free” to safety. As Nancie and I began our personal product searches with the use of the database our heads started to spin. It is a bit overwhelming to find that some of our favorite products, not necessarily fragrance free; could be another source of our troubles. Nancie even canceled a few products she had on monthly shipment. I visited what I call “the land of paranoia and betrayal.” It’s a place I go from time to time to visit, but no longer reside in (but don’t ask my husband).

Face it, most of us are not going to get out the large kettle pot and become soap makers in the backyard. Very few of us have a chemical engineering degree and can pronounce many of the ingredients, let alone know what they are or what they can do for us or to us. But we can check on the internet for definitions, explanations and interactions of ingredients. One amazing source we found was http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/list

The conclusion of the matter is that we need to be informed consumers and as Nancie reminds me “we have to be balanced.” Balance is the key to anything. We can have an informed choice to use or not to use. We can bury our heads in the sand; or we can move to the “land of paranoia and betrayal.” We choose to be balanced.

So back to the task at hand, Magick Botanicals shampoo and conditioner are completely free of scent. Nancie and I both did the nose test and absolutely could smell no odor. The shampoo is not as sudsy at first as your typical fragrant shampoos. Most of us are aware that companies advertise that products with more suds or that have a strong odor are the most effective. What a powerfully effective marketing tool that’s been! (FYI, usually it is another chemical additive that causes the suds.) Back to Magick Botanicals; the conditioner leaves my hair and daughter’s hair soft and manageable. We both have completely different hair structures. We will discuss more hair challenges in another blog.

Fragrance Fighters pick of the week is Magick Botanicals. You can purchase the products at Whole Foods or at online sites. Here is their direct website http://magickbotanicals.com.