Paraben information from Arbonne

Arbonne's newest skin care line - FC5 and the very popular RE9 anti-aging lines do not contain parabens. Some of the cosmetics do contain parabens. Below is information from Arbonne on parabens.

PARABENS - (Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl and Butyl)

question
Why does Arbonne use parabens Instead of “natural” preservatives

what are they
Parabens are esters of p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid. They are used as safe and effective reservatives in cosmetic, food and drug formulations and protect against yeast, molds and bacteria.

why they’re included
When it comes to complex formulations, Arbonne prides itself on safety as part of its pure, safe, beneficial philosophies. Preservatives are essential in maintaining the integrity of these formulations and we formulate with “broad spectrum” preservative systems to protect against oxidation as well as contamination.

When formulating with both oil and water based ingredients, you must use two types of preservative systems to ensure long term safety. Antioxidants, commonly known as “natural preservatives” protect oils from oxidizing or going rancid. Where many natural ingredients have some antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, they do not meet the stringent guidelines stipulated by the FDA for consumer safety.

Because Arbonne’s unique formulations are oil-in-water emulsions, we must use the parabens to offer broadspectrum protection from the yeast, molds and bacteria that are common in our environment and naturally occurring in water. It is absolutely necessary to support natural antioxidants, which protect the oils, with broad-spectrum preservatives that protect the water phase. Only these complex and safe systems ensure long-term safety for the consumer.

the facts
Parabens are practically non-irritating and non-sensitizing in the human population with normal skin and are safe for use in cosmetic formulations as outlined by the governing institutions, FDA, CTFA & CIR. However, paraben sensitization has been reported when paraben-containing medicaments have been applied to broken skin, specifically, or when used in concentrations exceeding 1%. Arbonne uses less than 0.5%.

for more information
Please refer to the following:
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board @ www.cir-safety.org
Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association @ www.ctfa.org
U.S. Food and Drug Administration @ www.fda.gov