What Are Parabens?

Parabens are lab-made chemical preservatives used to prevent mold, bacteria, and spoilage in cosmetic, skincare, and even some food and pharmaceutical products. They’re synthesized by reacting p-hydroxybenzoic acid (a compound that exists in nature) with various alcohols, resulting in

Methylparaben

Propylparaben

Butylparaben

Ethylparaben

They’re cheap, effective, and widely used by major brands because they extend shelf life and help reduce the risk of product contamination. While the root compound occurs naturally in some fruits and veggies, the finished parabens you find in products are entirely synthetic, made in laboratories for their long shelf life and low cost.

Where Are Parabens Used?

Parabens are everywhere in traditional personal care:

·      Moisturizers

·      Sunscreens

·      Shampoos & conditioners

·      Eye creams

·      Makeup

·      Body lotions & scrubs

·      Even some pharmaceutical ointments

Why Not Use a “Natural” Preservative?

The challenge with 100% natural preservatives is effectiveness and shelf life. Many natural preservatives require high concentrations (which can be irritating), have a narrow pH or temperature range, and aren’t broad-spectrum (they fight bacteria or mold, but not both)

If you’d like to learn to create paraben-free serums and emulsions, take a Serum Maker course!  They’re self-paced. You can order the ingredients and walk step-by-step through the recipe with a video made for everyone from beginners to experienced formulators!  Courses start at $35.00.

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Why We Use Liquid Germall Plus in our Recipes

Liquid Germall Plus is not considered “natural”, but it is:

·      Paraben-free

·      Formaldehyde-free

·      Globally approved for use in personal care

·      Highly effective at just 0.1–0.5% usage

·      Compatible with a wide range of ingredients, pH levels, and formulas

It’s a smart compromise, used by many indie and clean formulators because it’s gentle, efficient, and reliable, especially for water-based emulsions and serums.

Top 5 Reasons We Should Not Use Products with Parabens

(And Why You Won’t Find Them in Serum Maker Recipes)

1) Hormone Disruption (Endocrine Disruption): Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body by binding to estrogen receptors.

Bad News! Hormonal disruption is linked to early puberty, fertility issues, and hormone-sensitive cancers (like breast cancer).

2) Environmental Accumulation: Parabens contribute to environmental toxicity and bioaccumulation.

Bad News!  These chemicals don’t fully break down and can enter waterways through products we rinse off.They have been found in fish and dolphins.

3) Allergic Reactions & Skin Irritation:  Some dermatologists recommend paraben-free for those with eczema, rosacea, or damaged skin barriers.

Bad News!  Parabens can trigger contact dermatitis, especially in people with reactive or allergy-prone skin.

4) Detection in Human Tissue:  Traces of parabens have been found in breast tissue, urine, and even blood samples.

Bad News: This doesn’t prove harm, but it’s unsettling to know these preservatives are lingering in the body (even from products you don’t ingest.)

5) Cumulative Exposure:  Your daily exposure may far exceed what any single formula is approved for.

Bad News: Even if each product contains “safe” levels, parabens are used in multiple products a day: lotion, sunscreen, shampoo, eye cream, makeup, etc.

Serum Maker Says NO to Parabens

Want to ENSURE you're not putting parabens on your skin? Make your own products yourself. I can show you how in quick, self-paced, online courses with step-by-step video instructions.

It’s easier than you think.  I’ll show where to get the ingredients and you can get started today! And because YOU are the formulator, you always know exactly what’s going in your products.

No mystery. No hormone disruptors. No bioaccumulation. Just smart, safe, powerful skincare.

Get Started TODAY

You can take a course that will teach you what you need to know to make a skin boosting serum or hair growth tonic with ACTIVE ingredients. Make it for less than $3.00.

Sign up and get started right now! Get links to the ingredients you'll need per recipe.

Make your own neck cream that tightens or eye cream that combats dark circles for less than $6.00. We're making high quality stuff with ingredients in high concentrations! (that are in products that costs $100 - $300 retail.)

Don't pay for PARABENS!

Know what's in your products ~ and only include BENEFICIAL ingredients when you make it yourself.

Take a Serum Maker course. It's easy, y'all;) I'm not an esthetician. I don't have a background in science or skincare. I'm logical, tired of paying for a little bit of good stuff (and paying a lot for crap that's banned in other countries!) Get started to learn more!

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