Parabens are the most widely used and inexpensive preservatives on the market. They are meant to prolong shelf life for up to 20 years. Parabens were recently found in 20 out of 20 breast cancer tumors. The study was thrown out because there were not enough cells around the tumor studied to determine if the Parabens were to blame. (My feeling is if parabens stay in the cells indefinitely that can’t be good for us!) See www.organiccomsumers.org/bodycare/breastcancer090604.cfm for more information. May be listed as Methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben, sodium butylparaben.

Skin Essentials uses no parabens. We use potassium sorbate the only FDA approved preservative around. It is much more expensive than parabens but it is GRAS (generally regarded as safe by the FDA), its also been in candy bars, and many, many products for more than 100 years. Skin Essentials products are mad for your skin not for the shelf life - the shelf like of these products is 1-2 years and they should not be left in the hot car - etc.