Parabens could hide in way more of your routine than you’d guess, and most people have never had them explained.⁠ ⁠ They’re synthetic preservatives that keep mold and bacteria out of products, which is why they show up in lotions, body creams, shampoo, makeup, sunscreen, and some deodorants.⁠ ⁠ Parabens can act like estrogen in the body, and researchers have studied their link to hormone function for years (they’ve also been detected in human tissue samples, which is part of why the research continues). We’d rather leave them out than wait for more answers.⁠ ⁠ How to spot them: check the label for anything ending in “paraben,” like methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or ethylparaben. Save this to come back to!