Wednesday, December 20, 2017
A Look at Parabens and Their Use in Cosmetics
The founder and CEO of theBalm Cosmetics, Marissa Shipman possesses more than a decade of experience in the cosmetics industry and develops her own line of cruelty-free products. Marissa Shipman’s company also carries products free of the preservative paraben, an ingredient that has contributed to consumer concern over the years.
One of the most widely used preservatives in personal care products, paraben prevents the growth of harmful mold and bacteria. Paraben comes in several forms; those most commonly found in cosmetic and personal care products include propylparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. Some products may carry multiple types of paraben in order to offer further protection against a variety of microorganisms. Products containing parabens range from shampoos and lotions to makeup and shaving cream.
Concern about the use of parabens began in 2004 after a British cancer study found paraben present in malignant breast cancer tumors. Additionally, parabens contain an agent with properties similar to estrogen, a hormone linked to the growth of breast cancer cells. Critics of the study note that paraben’s estrogen properties are weak and the amount used in products is at low levels; however, watchdog groups remain concerned about the body possibly storing paraben over time.
With no conclusive evidence of paraben’s harmful effects, the Federal Drug Administration poses no special rules on its use in cosmetics. The FDA does require all companies to accurately label their products and gives clear instructions on its safe use, allowing concerned citizens to seek alternatives to products containing paraben.
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Project Glimmer Birthday Donations
An accomplished entrepreneur, Marissa Shipman functions as the CEO of theBalm Cosmetics, which she established in San Francisco. Outside of her work, Marissa Shipman regularly contributes to charitable organization and serves on the Board of Project Glimmer.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Project Glimmer strives to inspire and boost the self-confidence of young women through gifts. The gifts, which are all provided to at-risk women, include a variety of beauty and makeup products that are acquired through fundraising efforts such as Glimmer Drives and birthday donations.
Birthday donations for Project Glimmer are month-long fundraising drives designed to recruit the help of family and friends. The program makes use of web-based resources and tools that include templates, custom donation pages, and automated alerts. Moreover, the program’s web-based platform raises awareness and encourages others to donate their birthday month. To date, fundraising through birthday donations and other programs have helped the organization provide more than 200,000 gifts across 30 states.
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