Sulfates, Parabens And All The Other Bad Stuff. YUCK!

So, over the years you may have heard people talking more and more about paraben this and sulfate that, especially when it comes to beauty or hair care products. These ingredients seem to be EVERYWHERE and now more and more companies are taking the initiative to release paraben and sulfate free products. You might see yourself asking though, first of all, what are parabens and sulfates and why are they so bad? What do they even do, and what is all the hub bub surrounding them? Well, let's find out.

You hear about sulfates mostly revolved around hair care but sulfates can be in any cleansing type product. These products usually contain a mixture of multiple sulfates and not just one. So, what are they? Sulfates are the ingredient that make products lather up. Those awesomely thick, rich, wonderful bubbles that we all love so much? Sulfates. This is also the ingredient that leaves that squeaky clean feeling because it strips away the dirt, grease and residue, this is why you hear about them mostly in shampoos. The top reason that this ingredient is frowned upon is because it can very easily be too harsh, especially for sensitive skin. It can also leave your hair and skin feeling extremely dried out. There have also been studies showing that sulfates can be harmful to both you and the environment so that's definitely something to consider as well. If you don't want this stuff around you, try looking for more natural or organic brands which in honesty, this is a good recommendation for anyone because even if you don't have an issue with sulfates, all natural and chemical free seems to be the best route for anyone. While you may miss your rich lather, you'll probably get more satisfaction from knowing that you're taking the healthier route.

Now let's tackle parabens, what are they? Parabens are an extremely common cosmetic ingredient, this is because they are what keep our makeup, deodorant and other personal products preserved. They stop gross bacteria and any other microbe that you can think of from growing on your products. There has been significant research that parabens might even be the leading cause of different cancers in both men and women. Although the former has not yet been confirmed, multiple tests have shown that parabens were found in cancerous cells. Scary right? So what do you do to get past parabens? Well, just like sulfates, the only sure fire way to avoid them is to purchase products that boast the paraben free label. Even though research is still be conducted everyday, who wants to take the chance?

As always, I encourage all of you to do your own research and make your own decision on what type of products that you feel comfortable using. Also, i'm interested to know. What is your stance on parabens and sulfates? Will you continue to use them? Comment below.

Much Love and Happy Holidays xo