Beauty products are plentiful and their prices vary greatly - from the 99 cent shampoo you can get at a discount store to the face cream that costs well over $200 from the department store.
 With so many choices, it can be difficult to make a decision, but there is one additive you will want to stay clear of in all your beauty products: paraben.
 You may be asking yourself:  "what is paraben?" or you may have heard some of the news about this possibly dangerous chemical additive.
 It's important to be informed about the ingredients in the products you and your family use every day so that you can make the best and safest decision for all of you.
  What is Paraben? You probably check the expiration date on items like milk and yogurt before you buy them but you may not have given much thought to the beauty products you use.
 They have a shelf life as well, and the chemical additive, paraben, helps that bottle of shampoo last a few years or that liquid soap make the long journey from factory to store, and even that deodorant hold up in high temperatures.
  Paraben, in all its forms:  methyl, ethyl, propyl and benzyl is a preservative, and a cheap one at that.
 Unlike paraben free products, the commercially produced  shampoos, conditioners, body washes, deodorants and even toothpaste rely on these additives to extend their shelf life.
  In recent years, the FDA has investigated claims that paraben is a carcinogenic, or cancer causing substance.
 While they haven't banned its use the way European countries have, there is a lot of good evidence that should at least give us pause before we choose a paraben containing product over a paraben free product.
 Links to the production of estrogen which is known to affect the development of breast cancer are very concerning.
 Intact parabens have also been found inside cancer cells which negates past claims that these chemicals are eliminated from the body.
  It often seems that nearly everything can cause cancer and it's hard to differentiate the real information from the hype, but with so many great paraben free products on the market, it's a no-brainer to eliminate paraben from your beauty regimen.
 We have become too accustomed to the artificial ingredients in our foods and our personal care items, but it is time for a change.
 As our society begins to shift back to a more natural, earth-friendly approach and we begin to understand the impact of all these chemicals on our bodies and the planet, we will start to make a more informed choice about what we use on our skin.
  Paraben Free Products So, if you are ready to let go of beauty products that rely on dangerous chemical additives, what will your options be? First, you will need to read labels carefully, so that you aren't purchasing paraben filled products and start to look for paraben-free products instead.
  Most paraben free products are well labeled and contain natural ingredients that help preserve the skin or body care items instead of the chemicals used in the alternative.
 Ingredients like manuka honey, jojoba oil, olive oil and other fabulous natural items fill these products with goodness.
 You will also have the satisfaction of making a good choice for your family.
 So we started this discussion with the question:  what is paraben?  By now, you should be ready to make the switch to paraben-free products for good health and appearance.