EU plans to ban (some) Parabens in cosmetics

A little late reporting this one but I thought it was such a huge step for the cosmetic industry that I couldn’t miss it out all together.

Last month Cosmetics Business broke the news (Brussels plots restrictions on parabens in cosmetics, 12-Dec-2011)  that the European Commission is planning to ban the use of certain parabens in cosmetics, namely isopropyl, isobutyl, pentyl, phenyl and benzyl esters of 4-hydrozybenzioc acid (to get technical about it!).

Amidst all the controversy surrounding the long-term effects of parabens, it seems Brussels has finally taken the sensible step to prohibit and strictly regulate these ingredients until we know more about them.

This precautionary measure to leave parabens out of cosmetics is the same decision Pai took when it was founded five years ago. We feel it’s better to be safe than sorry, and choose not to use them while there is ‘insufficient information to conduct a proper safety assessment’.

The EU follows Denmark’s lead, who 3 years one year ago banned parabens altogether in cosmetics products for children under 3.

So what do you think? Are you already choosing paraben-free products?

Edited 18-Jan-12: Included link to Cosmetics Business Article.  Corrected error regarding Danish Cosmetics Ban.