Could ‘free of’ personal care products be key to reducing adolescent exposure to parabens?

A recent study has revealed adolescent girls can reduce their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals by choosing personal care products that are ‘free of’ phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and benzophenone-3 (BP-3).

Teen girls, who reportedly use more personal care products per day than the average woman, have been singled out as particularly at risk from over exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, which can be found in many standard personal care products. These chemicals in certain doses can interfere with the hormone system, potentially causing a variety of serious health problems.

100 females participated in the study, which aimed to determine whether 3 days using personal care products, that are ‘free of’ these chemicals, could lower concentrations found in the body.

The results showed that, although in small amounts, these kinds of ingredients will not necessarily have a negative effect on health, but teen consumers and those buying for young adults can reduce the amount of exposure they have to these potentially harmful chemicals, by making more informed decisions when purchasing personal care products.

Be safe and buy natural

Salt of the Earth prides itself on its award winning range of natural deodorants, which are free from chemicals and offer long lasting, effective protection from body odour. Our deodorants are suitable for young skin and can be purchased through the website, Ocado, selected Waitrose stores, Holland and Barratt and independent health food shops and pharmacies.

*Findings from “Reducing Phthalate, Paraben, and Phenol Exposure from Personal Care Products in Adolescent Girls: Findings from the HERMOSA Intervention Study” published in the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives. Environ Health Perspect; DOI:10.1289/ehp.1510514