You may have heard the term Paraben Free when looking at pet shampoos and conditioners (and human products too), but what does it actually mean?
Check out our answers to the main questions we get asked about Paraben, Paraben free products and how they relate to your pets.
What is Paraben?
First basic question we get asked is, What is Paraben?
Parabens are a group of ingredients that are used as a preservative in all sorts of cosmetics including shampoos and conditions. This isn’t just pet products either they’re common in human cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners too. As a preservative, their purpose is to extend the shelf life of the products so they don’t expire as quickly.
How do I know if my Shampoo is Paraben Free?
Most Pet Products that are Paraben Free will advertise it clearly on the bottle. If you’re buying online, they will advertise it on their product page as well.
If the product doesn’t advertise it on the bottle you can also look at the ingredients list on the back of the bottle. Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, and Ethylparaben are some of the most common.
For example, one of our Top 5 Best Dog Shampoos for Human Allergies is the Natural Dog Company Sensitive Skin Shampoo. This product advertises on their page as well as on the bottle that the product is free of Paraben.
Why is Paraben Free Important in Pet Products?
Most pets are covered in a thick layer of hair and we don’t always think about their skin. However lots of pets can have sensitive skin underneath all their fur. When we use chemicals on our pets, such as shampoos and conditioners, it can irritate their skin.
Recent studies have also shown that Paraben’s can have an effect on Estrogen metabolism when over extended periods. This is because it can be absorbed by our skin.
Final Thoughts
Whilst Paraben’s are commonly used in cosmetics and pet shampoos, that doesn’t always mean that it is good for us. With the potential side effects of Paraben’s in shampoos, it can be better to avoid them if your pet has sensitive skin.
We’ll be doing an article soon on our Top 5 Paraben Free Shampoos so stay tuned!
