The first time I heard the name “body butter”, I almost immediately thought of a conventional butter (food) placed all over my skin.
Body butter products are great for hydrating your skin and keeping it soft.
The problem is it can contain certain chemicals which are not beneficial to your health.
An alternative product which is not filled with nasty ingredients is a paraben-free body butter.
These products do not contain one set of chemicals which has been linked to different health problems. They may also lack other chemicals such as sulfates, phthalates, and mineral oils.
Going for a paraben-free body butter can bring you certain benefits.
Benefits of using a paraben-free body butter
Treat your skin with a chemical-free product
A paraben-free body butter does not contain any parabens and maybe it lacks other chemicals as well.
This means you are using a product made of only the main ingredients: oils and different types of butter. They can be really beneficial for your skin.
Another wonderful product that hydrates your skin is a fragrance-free face moisturizer for sensitive skin.
Always check the product description and ingredients list to be 100% sure you are purchasing the right paraben-free body butter.
Helps you maintain a hydrated skin
A paraben-free body butter can help you maintain a healthy hydrates skin.
Besides following a balanced diet and drinking enough water, sometimes your skin needs a little more help to stay hydrated and beautiful.
A hydrated skin also keeps you away from bacteria and infections. How?
When your skin is cracked, it’s like an open door to bacteria. They enter and can cause unpleasant health problems.
Parabens and other chemicals used in body butter products
Conventional body lotions and body butter products can contain different chemicals. Parabens are one of them.
Here are some common chemicals found in these products and the effects they have.
Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives in different products. They can be found in skin care, hair care, makeup, and cleaning items.
They are so widely spread because they guarantee a long shelf life for these products. They prevent bacteria and fungus from developing and living in them.
You can easily identify them in the ingredients list, as they usually contain the “-paraben” term. Here are a few examples:
- butylparaben
- ethylparaben
- isobutylparaben
- methylparaben
- propylparaben
Although they are effective, parabens are endocrine disruptors. They can mimic estrogen, a human hormone which has been directly linked to breast cancer.
There is no research that directly links parabens to this cancer, but studies indicate there is a connection between these chemicals and the condition.
Fragrances
Fragrances are the chemicals that give products their nice smell.
This term is used to describe thousands of chemicals. This is how you find them written on the product package.
In case you didn’t know, companies are not obliged to name exactly the chemicals they are using. They can say it’s under trade secrets and that’s it.
Just like parabens, fragrances are endocrine disruptors. They mimic human hormones and send false signals to the body.
Mineral oils
Mineral oils are a by-product of petroleum distillation.
They can be found body butter and baby lotions.
The problem with these chemicals is they can cause rashes and itchiness.
Avoiding petroleum-based products and materials is a great option to take care of your health and the environment. The benefits of a bamboo toothbrush fit perfectly in this category.
Polyethylene glycol
Polyethylene glycol or PEG compounds are petroleum-based chemicals.
They are used to give body butter products their thick and soft consistency.
PEG compounds can contain ethylene oxide and 1,4 dioxane. These are two known and dangerous carcinogens.
How to make your own paraben-free body butter
A paraben-free body butter, like other paraben-free products, can be obtained in two ways, in general. You can buy one from the store or you can make one of your own.
A homemade body butter is also paraben-free, as it requires plain natural ingredients.
Make sure the ingredients you are using don’t contain fragrances, parabens or other chemicals.
All you will need is:
- 1 cup of shea butter
- 1/2 cup of coconut oil
- 1/2 cup of almond oil
Melt the shea butter and coconut oil. Let them sit and cool for 30 minutes.
Add the almond oil and some essential oils if you wish.
Put the composition in the fridge and freezer and leave it there until it solidifies. Whip it until it becomes like butter.
If you’re interested in paraben-free body butter products, learn more about formaldehyde-free toilet paper.