The average moisturiser , no matter how brightly-coloured the packaging or how many times the manufacturers slap the word ‘natural’ on the label, has little, if anything, to do with nature. The Body Shop is a prime example of this popular nature-wash branding, their Cocoa Butter Body Butter, while containing soybean oil, shea and cocoa butters, is also infused with Methylparaben, Propylparaben, PEG-100, and various other chemical emulsifiers, stabilizers, and perfumes.

It doesn’t get better just by leaving the shop, the most popular moisturizer on the Boots website (Palmer’s Cocoa Body Butter with Vitamin E), geared toward pregnant women, also bearing a similar chemical-laden list, complete with the same two parabens.

What is a paraben?

Parabens are a preservative used in many personal care products, and in some cases even in food. Parabens are not completely synthetic, occurring naturally at low levels in foods such as carrots and strawberries. When ingested, our bodies are able to safely metabolize them.

The parabens used in cosmetics, however, are a synthetic preservative derived from petrochemicals that, when absorbed, bypass the metabolic process. They can mimic oestrogen in the body, which can have an effect on fetal development (especially with regards to boys), and have also been found in human breast cancer tissues.

Six safe moisturises

Sometimes, it may seem like there are no truly natural options when it comes to cosmetics. However, there do exist paraben-free moisturisers that don’t harm you, your child, you wallet, or the environment.

• Alba Botanica—their Hawaiian Spa line is what I’ve seen in UK shops, their body cream coming in mouth-watering coconut milk, kukui nut, papaya mango, and pineapple citrus scents. Paraben free and uses certified organic ingredients. £7.00-£9.00 (depending on place of purchase)
• JASON—their hand and body lotion comes in a variety of scents and vitamin combinations for all skin types. Paraben free. £6.68
• Weleda—in addition to lotion, they also carry a Pregnancy Body Oil, aimed at smoothing skin and preventing stretch marks. Free from parabens, and uses ingredients derived from natural essential oils. £12.95
• Green People—they have oil, lotion, and body butter for both you and your baby. Ingredients certified by the Organic Food Federation, and free from parabens, lanolin, phthalates, artificial perfumes, petrochemicals and colourants. From £3.35
• Mama Mio—in addition to lotion that targets specific body parts (legs and feet, décolletage, etc), they also have a line dedicated to pregnancy skincare, including kits with miniature versions of their products. Paraben free. From £23.00
• Neal’s Yard—their products read like the contents of someone’s garden, and smell just as wonderful. Paraben free and Soil Association Organic certified. From £8.25

Sources:

Chemicals in your cosmetics

Truth in Aging

Organic skincare

Photograph:

Flickr Emery Co Photo

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