What are the trending alternatives in response to Consumer Concern Over Parabens ?

On the basis of recent Industry Analytics, this article explains the concerns over parabens and highlights the trends in the search for paraben alternatives in personal care formulations.

What are Parabens?

Parabens are an antiseptic, antioxidant preservative used in the cosmetics and food industry to keep moulds, bacteria and other microorganisms out of food and personal-care products. They also help extend a products’ shelf-lives. Commonly used parabens include methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben.

Experts estimate that 85 percent of all personal care products contain parabens.

Click to read this expert article

What is the problem with Parabens?

Personal care products that contain parabens are absorbed through the skin, such as shampoos, makeup, shaving gels and more. Even though the human body can process and expel parabens, constant exposure maintains small levels of parabens in our bodies.

According to the Centre for Disease Control, methylparaben and propylparaben are present in the bodies of in most Americans, with women showing higher concentrations than men.

Click to read this expert article

Parabens have also infiltrated our water systems and a study from 2015 shows for the first time that these anti-microbials are also present in the tissues of some marine mammals, such as dolphins, sea otters and polar bears.

Scientists are still trying to figure out whether that presence is conclusively harmful:

• How do parabens work?
• Why may this be harmful?

Parabens operate as endocrine disrupters, and mimic how estrogen works in the body, though at weaker levels than the real hormone (See references 1 & 2 below for further information).

In an influential 2004 study, researchers found that parabens could accumulate in breast tissue and specifically in breast cancer tumors. The study didn’t compare paraben levels to those in healthy breast tissue or conclude that the parabens caused the cancer. However, the much-cited study set off a wave of consumer concern about paraben use and unanswered questions about their effect on the body.

Click to read this expert article

That concern remains strong today. As more studies examine links between endocrine disrupters and a range of disorders, “paraben-free” has become a common selling point for products marketed to health conscious consumers looking for healthy and natural alternatives.

Click to read this expert article

Consumer advocacy groups caution personal-care product users, especially women, to limit their paraben exposure. The European Union has banned some parabens in cosmetics and tightly regulated their use in other products.

Click to read about this ban

What are alternatives to Parabens?

The global concern over paraben use is leading brands and product formulators to find acceptable alternatives to preserve and protect their products.

In addition to the ever-popular preservatives alcohol and glycerin, other paraben alternatives have been rising in search popularity: phenoxyethanol, sodium sulfate, salicylic acid, sodium benzoate and sodium gluconate have all shown growth in demand.

Conclusion:

Currently, there is no scientific evidence or conclusive proof that links parabens with cancer but there is a sufficient body of research which justifies consumer concern over parabens.

If you are weary about taking a chance using products that contain these chemicals, then you do have an alternative option. Do your research and choose products that do not contain these potentially hazardous materials.

Why not choose the “safe” rather than “sorry” route for you and your Family?

Explore Pairfum’s Collection of paraben free (and organic) skin care produts:

Click to see Pairfum’s Skin Care products

References:

1 FAQ: Parabens and Breast Cancer

Click to read this article

2 Paraben esters: review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks.

Click to read this article

Why are they the ultimate perfume reed diffusers?

We are frequently being asked why the PAIRFUM® Reed Diffusers are the ultimate Natural Luxury Reed Diffusers.

“How do they work, how long will they last for, are they natural, do they contain alcohol?”

So let’s start at the beginning, as we believe it is a very good place to start! ( apologies we could not help but quote ‘The Sound of Music’ as Reed Diffusers are “One of My Favourite Things” – that’s the last one promise).

How do PAIRFUM® fragrance reed diffusers work?

They will naturally disperse fragrance throughout a room via the natural rattan reeds. Once placed into the aromatic liquid, the porous fibre reeds will draw the liquid up and the fragrance is diffused from the reeds into the air.

PAIRFUM Reed Diffuser are designed to be displayed, Simply open the bottle and insert all the reeds into the perfume infusion. The long black elegant reeds will, draw the liquid up and allow it to diffuse into the room to envelop your home with, exquisite, natural couture perfume.

The PAIRFUM® Diffusers allow you to regulate the perfume intensity & longevity to your personal taste through,the number of reeds you insert and by how frequently you turn them. The more, reeds you use and the more often you turn them over, the stronger the perfume in, the room will be. Air flow and local conditions will also affect the longevity of the, fragrance infusion.

PAIRFUM’s Natural Luxury Reed Diffusers are ‘Sensory Accents For Every Room’ and will infuse your Home or Office with evocative couture perfumes.

How long will my perfume reed diffuser last?

These Essential Oil diffusers are fantastic for the home or the office because they emit, aroma subtly, so that the scent is never too overpowering. The high quality PAIRFUM® diffuser will last for several months, depending on the size of bottle you choose from our Large Bell 250ml Diffuser, to our perfect entry point 50ml Diffuser. We have a wide selection of Natural Perfumes and Diffuser sizes to choose from, and the table below shows you how long each respective bottle size will last.

• 50 ml – will fragrance for 2-3 months
• 100 ml – you may expect it to perfume for 3-5 months
• 200 ml – will fragrance 5- months
• 250 ml – expected to perfume for 6-9 months

Is a refill available?

Yes, refills are available. We offer the following in our shop:

• refill liquid click here to buy
• rattan reeds click here to buy

Once the content of one bottle has been diffused the natural fibre reeds will be fully, saturated and need to be replaced., this will ensure that your new Diffuser will work as perfectly as the one you have just enjoyed.

Why are some fragrances easier to detect than others?

Just like flowers, natural essences and perfumes vary in fragrance strength. Our noses, more readily detect heady spice fragrances than delicate floral ones. Depending on, the effect you desire, you may choose your Pairfum product based on the, subtleness of the effect you want to achieve. It has also been proven that over time, our noses can, become accustomed to a fragrance which we have been using for a period of time.

Once you find yourself not detecting a fragrance, move it into another room, or a different position within the room for a period of time and you will be amazed at the difference!

Why is the rate of evaporation faster for some fragrances than others?

Fresh green citrus notes are more volatile and will evaporate more quickly than the, heavy, woody, vanilla style fragrances that will linger. The frequency with which you,turn the reeds and the air conditions in which the diffuser is placed can also affect, the longevity of the product .If the room is large with air-conditioning or drafts, the, product will ‘evaporate’ much more quickly than if it is placed in a small, room with, minimal ventilation.

These are just a few of the FAQ’s we are asked and if you would like to read or learn more them please go to Click for FAQs

So to sign off for now just let me say “ So Long Farewell we wish you all …” – sorry just could not help myself xxx

Home Decor – Retro Style

Retro style home interior is boldly making its way back to homes around the world. With bright, funky yellow colors and gray, pink hues, retro and vintage styles will transform your living space into a charming, chic wonderland that’s full of character. Mixing old with new, designers have taken inspiration from the past and merged this with a few modern details, bringing a contemporary twist to a timeless classic.

If you are looking to spruce up your living room and add a retro feel, but are struggling to know how to go about doing this, then look no further. Here are the 6 best things to make your living room retro in a heartbeat.

1)  Add A Wash Of Colour

Instantly add a retro feel to your living room with a splash of bright color. Nothing screams retro more than colorful walls and clashing hues. Bright yellows, mint greens, dusty pinks and pale turquoises are all perfect to breath some life into your living room.

If you’re dealing with a smaller space then maybe consider introducing a brightly colored feature wall accompanied with soft, neutral colors on all other walls. This way you avoid making the room seem even smaller, with dark or bold colors. You can always add a smaller mural or some vintage artwork to your feature wall to give you that retro vibe without going over the top.

2)  Adorn With Rugs And Cushions

Perhaps the biggest retro statement for any room are shaggy or patterned rugs and cushions. Build upon other bright colors you have picked for your room to either compliment or clash. If you wish to keep your living room retro-contemporary, I suggest opting for the more modern, vintage vibe, using soft, neutral colors on your walls and pairing brightly colored rugs and cushions to decorate.

3)  Don’t Neglect The Atmosphere

Remember that making your room feel more retro is not just about paint and furniture. Atmosphere is everything ! Even the most beautifully elegant vintage rooms can lose their feel because the atmosphere isn’t quite right. Take the time to impress all of your senses by making your room smell incredible.

The 80ies

By today’s standards, potpourri is a bit old school, even if you want to make a retro styled room smell great. If you are, however, passionate about pot pourri, are happy to refresh it regulary and don’t mind cleaning away the dust, then why not make your own pot pourri ?

You could display it in a 80ies bowl to boost the mood of any living space. Pot pourri is most effective for retro styling a room.

The standout fragrance of the Eighties was Poison by Christian Dior. You could not only see the big shoulder pads but Poison had unrivalled power to radiate its perfume and announce your entrance with a scent !

• Poison by Christian Dior: floral (tuberose), fruity (plum, berry), balsamic (Opoponax, honey) and woody.

The 70ies

Another way to make your room smell great and add to the ‘Flower Power’ of a 70ies styled atmosphere is with incense or an oil burner. Remember the Hippies ?

They did have their own unique scents that you can virtually smell when reading these:

• patchouli,
• sandalwood, or
• tea rose attars.

Burning incense from a beautifully carved, Indian-themed holder or warming patchoul oil in an oil burner would certainly give an instant retro feeling to a home.

A designer fragrance which exemplifies the era is YSL’s Opium with an accord centred around notes of incense (myrh), spices (cinnamon, cloves, pepper) and sandalwood.

Two other notable fragrances were:

• Charlie by Revlon: woody (sandalwood, oakmoss), green (galbanum, hyacinth), aromatic (vetiver)
• Anais Anais by Cacharel: white floral (lily of the valley, hyacinth,lily, jasmine, honeysuckle) and green

The 60ies

How do you add a scented 60ies feel to a room ? After all, home fragrance did not really exist at the time. We would suggest a luxury scented candle by PAIRFUM on a chrome pedestal. The sixties were the time of polished chrome and beautiful curves.

Two memorable fragrances of the 60ies were these stars of the perfumery world:

• YSL’s Rive Gauche: aromatic (lavender, rosemary, citrus, geranium), fresh spicy (clove, star anise) and woody (patchouli, guiac wood)
• Christian Dior’s Eau Sauvage: citrus (lemon, bergamot), aromatic (rosemary and fresh spicy (basil)

Both are perfect for invigorating a room’s atmosphere and washing away a stressful day.

4)  Bring Your Room To Life

Potted plants are a surefire way to brighten up any room. Not only do they provide a splash of color, they purify your air and brighten your home. Why not try attaching hanging plants to your walls or ceiling to amp up the retro vibe.

5)  Vintage Furniture

Perhaps the best way to take your living room back in time is through furniture. Opt for authentic vintage styles and patterns. A great place to find retro furniture is at your local thrift store or farmers market.

To make your furniture unique and stylish you can always find a vintage piece and upcycle. An internet search offers stacks of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

6)   Antique Decor

Not only are thrift stores and flea markets a great place to find authentic furniture, they can be the perfect place to uncover other hidden gems. Things like, retro-style suitcases, candle holders and pictures can make stunning accessories for your home. Try looking for authentic, timeless pieces like old signs, weathered clocks or even world globes. They will instantly inject your living room with character and class.

 

Retro In A Snap !

So there you have it. These are the best ways to instantly transform your living room into retro-chic in six simple steps.

Always remember – take the time to make your room as authentic as possible and focus attention on all your senses. And soon you will feel the benefits and will have the ultimate retro living room. Fashion always has a habit of making its way back around to our wardrobes, and fortunately so does interior design.

What retro-styles inspire you the most? Let us know in the comments below.

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By: Hollie Jones & Huib Maat

Hollie is a freelance writer and Lifestyle blogger from New Jersey. She is passionate about interior design, arts and crafts and up-cycling. Hollie is the co-author of Hollie and the Ivy.

Huib is the perfumer behind the success of PAIRFUM and enjoys adding stylish perfumery to your home.