Parabens, Phenoxyethanol and Natural Alternatives | Preservatives in Cosmetics 

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Finally A RU-vid Channel that spills FACTS and not TEA! 👌 💕

I know that FDA has the policy “safe until proven unsafe”, but i think it’s too risky to use parabens when there is such a variety of other preservatives. Yes, they don’t cause breast cancer, but they cause breast cancer cells growth. Yes, they can be used only in small amounts, but they are used in 85-90% of food, drugs and cosmetics, which means almost every thing you ingest or apply contains parabens - small amount+small+small = big amount. That is why Europe has banned or restricted the use of some parabens - because there is no enough data. If there is a tiny bit of concern about an ingredient I don’t want to use it. Europe is usually way more careful when it comes to people’s health than America

Btw this preservativee-free label looks a lot like the sugar-free one in foods where they use glucose, fructose or concentrated grape juice just to avoid adding sucrose🙄

Hi Kenna, this was a great video! Very informative. Would you be able to do a video about mineral oil? I have heard a lot of mixed information on it and I would like science based facts and your opinion on if this ok for skin use!

13:56 - For those who are most interested in learning about natural preservatives :)

Thank you so much! It’s so great having someone experienced and educated explain these things to us. Companies definitely fear monger and market certain things to get us to buy them. I love your channel! Keep doing what you’re doing! ❤️

Knowledgeable people like you should come out & teach people the actual things, unlike the so called skincare gurus who know nothing & have not studied the basics behind the chemistry of elements & mislead people about preservatives. Thank you kenna for this video.❤❤❤ waiting for more informational videos🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

What would companies do if we had more RU-vidrs like Kenna? They wouldn’t be able to get away with their pseudoscience marketing gimmicks.

VERY informative with detailed information WHILE ALSO EXPLAINING IT IN A WAY THAT DOESN’T completely go over my head 😂 Thanks girl!

Since Dr. Dray, Lab Muffin, and now Kenna support parabens, I wish companies would use them.

Kenna I love your channel, I am a cosmetic Formulator and Phenoxyethanol is my go to preservative to use, because making sure my customers are protected is my number one concern. I love that your sharing all of this!! Keep it up! 💖Robin

I wish companies would go back to using parabens. Maybe if everyone realizes parabens are ok, then companies will start using them in cosmetics again. Keep spreading the word :)

hi! could you possibly make a video on what “diy skin care” products are and aren’t safe for your skin? there’s just so many conflicting reports on what’s safe for natural skincare and what’s not. I’m just very curious.

Love your videos, please consider doing an investigation into asbestos in makeup through the use of talc x

Hi Kenna. Thank you so much for being so explanatory. I didn't start yet handcrafting products that fall into the "cosmetic" category but been researching a lot about preservatives. Your video just made my life so much easier. I was inclined to use a specific one (Europe) but now I'm sure that's the way to go. Thank you so much again!! I'll be following you for sure! 😊🙏

You inspire me to go back to college and study biochemistry so I can make my dream of starting my own small business to create and sell body care products 😍 I gave up on this dream years ago. For now I'll keep learning from you and look into the various online courses that are available to get me started.

I’m currently completing my undergrad in biology and I’m also a lover of beauty products, so believe me when I say I’m happy to have found your channel since you combine both!!!!!!!💗💗

Had to subscribe. This was a pleasure to watch as it was full of facts not just opinions/hype. Thank you for posting x

Maybe a video on ingredients that you would never use on your skin or in your products. That would be interesting and good to know for those of us, especially myself, who are so influenced and dont do our own research 💜

I looooove that you give the facts ! People need to be informed ! popular media , political agendas, rumors and conspiracy theories have done so much harm to public knowledge. It's time to take back sense !

In a time of irrationality, I find it very soothing to watch youtube channels by people sharing facts. Kenna is a young knowledgable biologist whose channel is all about sharing facts. She reminds me of a young Dr Rhonda Patrick.

Such a great video. Having followed Caroline Hirons for years, she had already debunked the paraben fear-mongering trend, but you’ve gone into such amazing detail. Thank you! Also, regarding Lush, I remember clearly they had released a statement that they don’t have any problem with Parabens and find them safe, but due to a lot of requests, they felt obligated to release their “self-preserving” alternatives. They still have their normal products with Parabens.

thank you so much this the first channel that broke it all the way down clearly and informative not over talking i took a lot of notes

It would awesome to see you breakdown the ingredients/preservatives of popular skincare and cosmetic products, like face masks and foundations!

Thank you so much for clearing the air on parabens. I work in the beauty/skin industry and it’s so frustrating when people are scared of these ingredients because they are ill informed.

This is very interesting, thank you! I am curious about silicons and EDTA , if you get a chance. Thank you.

Do I know what parabens are? No. Will I watch it because Kenna? Yes.😅😅❤❤❤

Great information! Thank you for clarifying this! Also you have gorgeous skin and beautiful eyes ❤

Yes! Thank you so much for this. I make skincare products as a hobby and I've been lucky enough to know from the beginning that preservatives are needed. The amount of strange and dangerous recipes out there in the diy community is mind-boggling. And people are starting to voice concerns about phenoxyethanol too 🙄

Im so glad to have found your channel! Very informative, i honestly used to never use anything with phenoxyethenol, but over the course of the past year or so i have done alot more research & im perfectly okay witg using it now in my skincare routines. Thankyou so much

This video needs more views... there's a lot of misinformation out there and it's nice to have an unbiased scientific perspective on these ingredients. Seriously, thank you.

Hello I’m from Korea 🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷 I love your video 🙋🏻‍♂️❤️ I’m a big fan 😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

A viewer just turned me onto your channel, and I'm so glad they did! I'm only sad I haven't found your channel before! You might consider adding tags like "are parabens actually bad for you" for your video to get found by more people, because this info is important, and you obviously know your stuff!

So happy to see I'm not the only formulator that doesn't take biased studies to heart. Go team science! I can defiantly vouch for phenoxyethanol as being irritating. I had a mild exposure from a product that separated with 1% dilution. 100g product. I was insanely itchy for a week, dehydrated, body aches, fatigue, asthma which got worse on day 2 the next time I took a shower it got so bad I thought I should go to the er, but could breathe better after I got out of the shower. I am autoimmune and sensitive. This kind of more sever reaction is warned about in MSDS that I had to search hard for. Now I'm even more sensitive to products with it too. I couldn't find anything from the store to wash it off with like MSDS states that didn't have more phenoxyethanol. Germall plus has been working alright but I am not to thrilled to work with the warnings with it. Going to check out these parabens next.

I can’t like this video enough. So informative and straight forward! Thank you!

Great information xx I looked into making my own skincare and through research I came to the conclusion that a preservative at max 1% was better than spreading mold, and fungus on my skin. Xxx well done Kenna

i literally love your channel so so much, i'm a big chemistry nerd but i've never formally studied with regards to cosmetics and skincare and this is something i find endlessly fascinating because it's like my two favourite things have been combined thank you for sharing

Great video keep them coming !!!😁 I've been allergy tested and found I'm allergic to phenoxyethanol after years of using it my face is chemically burnt almost like rosacea and dealt with severe eczema. It is sooo hard to find any cosmetics without it present 😬

Beautiful, smart and humble. She's so underrated, why ppl?! Look how amazing her skin looks :]

It is the first time for me to watch your video and I love it! I am starting my hair line product and you have been really helpful, you cleared my doubts. Thank you! Keep up the good work ❤️

Hey Kenna, do you know if any preservatives are known to disrupt the skin microbiome once they are applied? Thanks for the informative videos and for bringing science to the people!

This is a great video! Thank you for making this. I appreciate so much you telling us 'why' and 'how' based on scientific evidence.

Thank you for breaking this all down Kenna! There is so much fear mongering in society today, and it seems most of it is based on inadequate studies. This makes for so much confusion as a consumer. We really do need to do our own research as consumers so that we don’t fall into these marketing traps.

Very informative thank you. This video showed up on my natural skincare products page. But I really wanted a preservative in my skincare products, who.want to open and see bacteria growth. This is so awesome ..thank you and enjoy motherhood

Been looking forward to this video!!!💙💙💙

Great video, and so very informative! May I ask you, what do you think about phthalates and fragrances in skincare products? This is a big topic! Thank you!!

Can you do hair products like shampoo and conditioner next please.

Thanks Kenna. I know that some folks and scientists say parabens are fine (as well as other preservatives that have come under fire) but never knew what the story was as far as how these ingredients got a bad rap. Once people realize that the preservatives that companies are using to try and replace these preservatives can be sensitizing I’m thinking the pendulum will swing back to accepting them.

As a chemistry teacher I find this video hilarious and fabulous! It is a definite reminder of how people are needlessly scared of a lot of chemicals without knowing the research. This is why we need to do a better job with education in a way that encourages everyone to do their own research.

I’m taking my first microbiology class and it’s so interesting to me! I also knew a little of what you were talking about which excited me 😆 we’re learning the difference of gram neg and gram pos bacteria at the moment!

Girl yes!!! 💪🏻🤓 You need Merch called “Science Babe” trademark that shiiieett.

We used phenoxyethanol where I worked as a scientist and never had any customer complaints about irritation or anything like that, so I stand by it.

I can absolutely not tolerate phenoxyethanol 😑 my skin goes crazy. And citric acid. My skin has all of s sudden acquired some sort of dermatitis... so far he told me to only wash with water and you use petroleum jelly to try and figure out a root cause. I'm also an esthetician and I just cannot get past the fact of not washing my face. I'm very into ingredients and how they affect the skin and what they do do you have any suggestions? I would love if you could answer me I just came across your channel I know this video was made a few years ago but I absolutely love this thank you so much for all your fact

Thank God I found your channel! So much misinformation on the internet!

Thank you so much! I've been educated. I now realize that I've been hoodwinked this whole time about parabens. I'm kinda angry 😠. I'm grateful for folks like you who set things straight. 👍

This is so Informative for those who are smart enough to see through random youtube review bullshit but don't study this field and need a breakdown. Thanks so much. I'm glad I just found your channel! I need an educated smart beauty guru! I need facts not opinions for money and you are it!

Thank you for this!!! Actual information instead of letting marketing tactics persuade our purchase! Keep it up!

A great video. Thanks.

you're what's UP kenna!! thank you for this!

Fabulously informative! 💖

Thank you so much because most products that I've had issues with are the "all natural" and "something" free because I seem to be quite sensitive to these substitutes whereas the old fashioned ones I had no reaction to.

Thanks for sharing this information for your audience. The misinformation about preservatives has made formulating very difficult for many in this industry - it is something that comes up daily for me. It’s difficult to formulate natural or “naturally-preserved” products and still adhere to the cost target for the product. Unknowingly, the misinformation is driving up the price of cosmetic and skincare products in some cases.

thanks for sharing your information and your knowledge girl!!! incredible video (: Keep it up

This was made on my bday♡ Thank you for the information ,[I searched for Phenoxyethanol, and was lead here]

Bromide would be another good topic, since we are bombarded by it and flame retardants that are toxins

What is the best preservative recommendtion for diy setting spray ?

As a chemistry nerd, this is so satisfying to listen too!!!

Thank you Kenna! I started following Dr. Dray, who is a dermatologist, recently and so far I don't 100% agree with everything that I've heard her say (yet!), but I increasingly find myself finding more and more information that solidifies the position she takes on certain things which you are explaining in this video. This is very helpful, because you're both coming in from different angles explaining the misinformation. It's been very helpful since some changes in my skin have made me look much more deeply into ingredients in my skincare.

I love your videos and content thank you for doing this and giving so much background and information

THANK YOU! I could not for the life of me figure out why my products would mold, even when I used the maximum usage for the natural preservative - the reduced shelf life and using all-natural ingredients! Question: Can I pair two natural preservatives to extend the product shelf-life and reduce the chances of mold developing, so long as there is no adverse interaction or reaction?

How about sodium laurate sulfate in products?

I love your videos and I love how you tell it how it is! I love learning about skincare and these videos are amazing thank you so much!

FINALLY! Thak you! Than "paraben histeria" is still going on where I live. I'm an ingr nerd & have to explain it over & over & over again.

Hi there, have a nice Sunday 💙. It's great to learn about preservatives from a biochemist ✌💖. Let's check these parabens on our products 👍

Hi, Kenna! I'm in love with your channel and I've been binge watching your videos for the past couple of weeks. Thank for all the valuable inforamation you are giving us. I hope you're doing well. This video made me think about something that I cannot find the answer to: Would it be possible use a system of preservatives that includes a couple of natural preservatives, for example a combination between the radish root ferment and the caprylhydroxamic acid? Would this combination preserve a product better and would it extend the shelf life further or does it just do the same job as the ingredients separate. Thanks in advance! Take care and keep up the amazing work 💕💕💕

Love this! Thanks for shedding light on all of this hyped up misleading info and breaking it down for us to understand!

Learned so much from this video. My deep thanks to you!!!!❤️❤️❤️

Very informative video! There is a great deal of "fear mongering" in this area of cosmetics. Many years ago, I attended a workshop where they discussed the popularity of "healthy" food related ingredients--and how quickly the "industry" would begin adding these ingredients to creams, and hair care, and other various sundries to capitalize on the "perceived" benefits. "Gluten free shampoo", anyone?

I would really love to know your opinion on Curology and what you think of it!

This video is certainly food for thought. From what I have been able to read and hear, mainly by dermatologists, parabens have been unfairly 'demonized', with all the consequences that you mentioned. About phenoxyethanol, though, I was surprised not to hear anything about the effects it may have on infants whose mothers use skin care products that include it (see here, f.e.: www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/phenoxyethanol/). All ingredients, either natural or artificial, may have their pros and cons, and not just in skin care. Also, I wonder: Let's suppose that a country/region's law allows the limited presence of an ingredient, up to a certain amount (e.g. not over 1%) in a formula. When a product contains dozens of ingredients, including multiple controversial additives, how can the consumer know if the total amount of up-to-1% additives (e.g. potentially funky preservatives etc.) does not exceed a potentially worrisome amount? Plus, if certain ingredients tend to be included in a multitude of everyday-use products. Has each and every one of them (or each and every potential combination) been studied adequately, and in a time span that's long enough? For example, see "In nail salons (…) female-dominated industries" here: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/23/truth-world-built-for-men-car-crashes

Thank you so much for this! I started my body butter business and use Phenoxyethanol as a precaution. I have known people who like to bring their lotions or creams into the shower. To keep any bacterial growth I use a preservative.

Whats your opinion on sulfates?

I love you educating the masses! I always didn't know what the big deal about parabens were and I'm not biochemist expert on anything. People just follow the train of misinformation I'm happy I never fell for that stuff. It's all marketing tbh. Give me all the preservatives please I want my products to last a long time lol.

Thank you for this video. Very informative. Just found your videos today and I already subscribed.

Great explanation! Pls advise me what to use in my diy formulations. Especially the natural or the one that can go for 6 months. Love your personality and presentation😘

I think the safest route is just to use natural cold pressed oils with essential oils for cleansing and moisturising.

You re so beautiful and smart, can you be my BFF? 👯 Seriously we need more people like you on this platform. I always learn new things from you... thank you for sharing your knowledge 💕

Thank you for so much awesome info. Much appreciated!

How about Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylisothiazolinone

I read that parabens are indocrine disrupters, wouldn’t this be bad??

Thanks Kenna for providing us with this informative video, I have to say prior to seeing this I was completely against the use of parabens In skin care products. But Ill definitely be giving those ingredients a second chance after the great information you provided.

How do these preservatives do with heat? I'm thinking melting and depotting lipsticks

Can you do a video on deodorants and anti-perspirants? The fear-mongering around parabens reminded me of the controversy around those products.

another wonderful, informative video. you’ve easily become one of my favorite youtubers, can’t wait for my altilis trio to arrive! i don’t know if it’s your expertise but i remember hearing you mention something about it in a previous video, but if possible, could you do a video about porous hair and how to deal with/treat it? or a video about different hair issues in general, as i doubt porous hair warrants its own video. i’ve been trying to deal with my own high porosity hair for a while now but i don’t really know what exactly i should be doing/looking for in products. i figure if anyone has the answers, it’s you, brilliant lady!

Thank you. I am trying to switch to safer cleaning and personal products in my house. So much information has me conflicted

So informative, thank you so much!! ❤️

Hello Kenna! Great video as usual. Very informative! Can I suggest a topic? I really want to know more about ingredients use to treat hyperpigmentation? Specifically hydroquinone alternatives and whether they are safe and effective, like arbutin, rucinol, kojic acid, and tranexemic acid. Thank you

Lol when u like the video before u even finish it 😂 love ya 💕

This was extremely informative! Thanks