Recent market trends have seen a growth in demand for paraben-free cosmetics in connection with intensive campaigns for the use of cruelty-free cosmetics. A perfect example of this is the cosmetic market of the European Union.
Makeup is used daily to enhance physical appearance. Often, as long as the final product is attractive and presentable, we simply forget to read the fine print. We don’t check the ingredients in the formulation of our favorite lip conditioner or lash enhancer. We do not bother to check the history of the product. We just do not care. It is recommended to choose paraben-free and cruelty-free cosmetics.
Cruel and harmful cosmetics
Many cosmetic companies use potentially dangerous chemicals to preserve the shelf life of their products. An identified chemical class that is often used in cosmetic products is parabens. The US Food and Drug Administration defines parabens as “esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid” that can appear as methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben in cosmetic and grooming products sold around the world.
To learn the potency and safety of a chemical compound, some lab rats had used the unethical, expensive, and outdated method of animal testing. Animals are subjected to harsh tests and experiments without regard to their well-being. The end result always points to the horrific death of an innocent rabbit, guinea pig and other animals.
These cruel methods drew the ire of animal rights activist groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), American Anti-Vivissection Society, Animal Alliance of Canada, Beauty Without Cruelty, and many more. They called for the creation of paraben-free cosmetics, therefore cruelty-free cosmetics.
European Union: a perfect example
The European Union is a political and economic union of 28 member states on the European continent. The entity had established a single market with standardized laws and regulations. It includes highly developed nations with large and profitable markets among their ranks.
In this great entity, various animal rights groups have focused their barrage of public protest and intense lobbying for animal cruelty-free and paraben-free cosmetics, perpetuating the Union to prohibit the sale and consumption of cosmetic products that are not animal cruelty-free and paraben-free cosmetics. .
With the ban issued in March 2013, only cruelty-free cosmetics will be allowed on the EU market. No company will be allowed to conduct new animal testing and they can only use previously tested and safe ingredients.
On a similar note, in order to have paraben-free cosmetics, the European Union banned the use of five parabens (isopropyl, isobutyl, pentyl, and benzyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and their salts). In addition, they are lowering the maximum allowable concentration level for butyl and propyl paraben.
The groups behind the EU paradigm shift are working hard to replicate their efforts in promoting cruelty- and paraben-free cosmetics around the world. They are slowly gaining traction and massive support. They have started campaigns in India, China and many other nations. Soon the market will be free of those unhealthy products and will be flooded with paraben and cruelty free cosmetics.
