Methylparaben Potentiates UV-Induced Damage of Skin Keratinocytes
An 2006 study summery from Toxicology (vol 227, nos 1-2, p.62) examining the effect of ultraviolet-B light ("UVB") on skin keratinocytes (also known as basal cells, they form a barrier against environmental damage). The authors found UVB exposure significantly increased skin damage through cell death, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation among other causes.
We never use parabens in our products.
For many years, methylparaben (MP) has been used as a preservative in cosmetics. In this study, we investigated the effects of ultraviolet-B (UVB) exposure on MP-treated human skin keratinocytes.
UVB exposure significantly increased cell death, oxidative stress , NO production, lipid peroxidation and activation of transcription factors in MP-treated HaCaT keratinocytes. These results indicate that MP, which has been considered a safe preservative in cosmetics, may have harmful effects on human skin when exposed to ultraviolet-B.
