Table of contents:
- Parabens and their function in cosmetics
- Uncovering the dangers of parabens for pregnant women
- The risk of parabens for pregnant women and the growth of children from prenatal to postnatal
- Choosing cosmetic products for pregnant women safely
One of the active ingredients found in cosmetics is parabens. This chemical is often a topic of conversation among pregnant women because it is dangerous so it needs to be avoided. It is possible that this information causes confusion and anxiety for mothers.
However, do you know what are the risks of harm posed by parabens for pregnant women? Here is the explanation.
Parabens and their function in cosmetics
Parabens actually answer the needs of women because of their function as protection. Parabens belong to a family of chemical compounds that can preserve cosmetic ingredients.
In cosmetics, parabens play a role in preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Parabens that are commonly used in cosmetics include methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and etylparaben.
A cosmetic product usually lists more than one paraben on the label. Parabens are combined with other preservatives to protect cosmetics from the development of microorganisms.
To find out what are the dangers of cosmetics with parabens for pregnant women, please complete the description below.
Uncovering the dangers of parabens for pregnant women
Paraben or p-hydroxybenzoic acid easily found in makeup products, hair care products, moisturizers, and shaving treatments. However, we often miss reading ingredients when buying a single cosmetic product.
In published research Environmental Research , it is said that parabens and bispenols are categorized as compounds that interfere with the endocrine system (endocrine disrupting compounds / EDCs).
Both were studied to have a simultaneous effect on pregnant women and the umbilical cord of the baby in the womb. Bisphenol is able to travel through transplacental and these compounds can accumulate in the fetal bag.
Meanwhile, the negative impact of parabens affects the level of the hormone testosterone which affects the fetus. This can pose a risk to the development of a baby boy while he is in the womb.
The risk of parabens for pregnant women and the growth of children from prenatal to postnatal
Of course pregnant women also cannot be separated from beauty treatments. Again, to apply the product to the skin or body, the mother needs to know the details whether the product contains parabens or not.
Other research has revealed other effects of parabens. The study says there is a relationship between parabens and increased glucose in pregnant women.
The researchers involved 1,087 pregnant women and the study was conducted for 1 year.
They measured the concentration of parabens (ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and benzylparaben) in the urine of pregnant women.
In this study, researchers also concluded that there is a content of parabens in the urine in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus.
They revealed that exposure to ethylparaben type parabens in pregnant women poses an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Although parabens have a protective function for cosmetics, there are side effects which have been mentioned above. Parabens in other studies have also been shown to have harmful effects on pregnant women and are closely related to weight gain after the baby is born.
Disclosed in studies in journals Epidemology , parabens and triclosan are closely related to obesity in children aged 3 years. Triclosan is also an ingredient in cosmetics and has antimicrobial properties.
In order to avoid the dangers of these risks, it is important for pregnant women to pay attention to the content of parabens in cosmetic and beauty products.
Choosing cosmetic products for pregnant women safely
Of course, your skin care and makeup routine is no longer the same when you are pregnant. Now, you need to be more detailed in paying attention to the ingredients contained in it.
In the previous discussion, there are several ingredients that are dangerous for pregnant women, such as parabens, triclosan, and bisphenol.
However, know some ingredients that pregnant women need to avoid.
- Phthalates
- Fragrance / Perfume
- Retinoids
- Diethyl phtalate
This way you will know what ingredients to avoid during pregnancy. It's a good idea to choose products with organic and natural ingredients to make it safer.
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