Are The Ingredients in Strivectin Safe to Use?
Strivectin has taken the world by storm since the invention of this skin care line in 2002, and the products are not only known for their ability to get rid of wrinkles but also for the diminishing of stretch marks. These wonder products seem to get results, but the question some of us are asking is whether the ingredients in StriVectin are safe to use on our skin? The simple answer is "yes," but with some of the debate around the use of parabens in cosmetics, it may be worth it to dig a little deeper.
Parabens and Breast Cancer
In 2004, a study was published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, and this study noticed the presence of parabens in breast tumors. The study focused on the properties of parabens that make it similar to estrogen and the link between estrogen and breast cancer. The study left a lot of unanswered questions because it did not prove that parabens cause cancer and also did not compare tumor tissue and its paraben levels to that of normal breast tissue.
The CIR and FDA on Parabens in Cosmetics
The CIR reassessed the safety of parabens in cosmetics again in 2003 after the initial study in 1984. The initial assessment showed that parabens were safe for use at levels of up to 25%, and in 2005, the CIR panel found that the original findings still stand and there's no need for change.
The FDA acknowledges the connection between estrogen and breast cancer, but it also mentions that parabens have much less of an effect even though they have estrogen-like properties. Parabens are between 10,000 and 100,000 times less active than natural forms of estrogen and that, paired with the very low levels used in cosmetics ( between 0.01 and 0.03), makes parabens safe for use in cosmetics.
The FDA believes that there is no reason at present to be alarmed or concerned about the use of parabens in cosmetics and that these cosmetics are safe to use. They are, however, constantly researching and evaluating new data and will let the public know if the use of parabens are found to be hazardous at any time in future.
There appears to be two versions of StriVectin-SD, and the newer version is paraben free. If you still own the older product, there shouldn't be a reason to stop using it unless you absolutely want to. The new and improved StriVectin-SD includes numerous improvements as well, so in answer to the question "Are the ingredients in StriVectin Safe?" the answer would be "yes."
