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Propylparaben

Paraben

Worth knowingPreservativepreservative

EU-restricted, a common contact allergen, or subject to live debate.

Also written as: Propyl 4-Hydroxybenzoate · Propyl Paraben · E216

What it is

Propylparaben is the propyl ester of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Its longer side chain makes it more effective against moulds than methylparaben, but also more oil-soluble and more oestrogenically active in laboratory assays. Because of that, the EU treats it more strictly than the short-chain parabens: since 2014 it has had its own, much lower limit. It is now uncommon in new European formulations.

What it does well

  • Effective mould and yeast control at very low levels

    Its antifungal activity is stronger than methylparaben's, so it works at concentrations well below the legal cap. It pairs well with methylparaben, which covers a different part of the microbial spectrum.

    Strong evidence

  • Low rate of skin sensitisation

    Like other parabens it rarely causes allergic contact dermatitis on intact skin; patch-test positivity to paraben mix runs around 1%.

    Moderate evidence

Worth knowing

  • Restricted because of endocrine-activity concerns

    Propylparaben showed effects on reproductive endpoints in some animal studies. The EU cut the permitted level from 0.4% to 0.14% in 2014, and the SCCS confirmed in 2021 that 0.14% is the safe maximum.

    Matters most toPeople who prefer to avoid substances with any measurable hormonal activity.

  • Not permitted in leave-on nappy-area products for children under three

    The EU added this restriction because the skin of the nappy area may be damaged and more permeable, and because young children have a higher surface-area-to-weight ratio. This is a targeted precaution, not a general ban.

    Matters most toParents of babies and toddlers.

  • Debate is unresolved rather than settled

    Regulators consider 0.14% safe, but propylparaben remains on the EU's priority list of substances with potential endocrine-disrupting properties, so the limit could change again.

    Matters most toAnyone who wants to track ingredients whose status may move.

Where the EU stands

Approved preservative (Annex V)

Permitted preservative but restricted: maximum 0.14% (as acid), alone or together with butylparaben; total parabens must not exceed 0.8%. Not allowed in leave-on products for the nappy area of children under three.

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V entry 12a (introduced by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1004/2014) · source ↗

Sources (2)

Every link goes to the original: a journal, a PubMed record or an EU document.

  1. [1]
    Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) - Final Opinion on propylparaben (CAS No 94-13-3, EC No 202-307-7)

    Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology / SCCS · 2021 · doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.105005

    The SCCS concluded propylparaben is safe as a cosmetic preservative up to a maximum of 0.14%, with butyl- and propylparaben combined not exceeding that figure.

  2. [2]
    Review of the safety of application of cosmetic products containing parabens

    Journal of Applied Toxicology · 2020 · doi:10.1002/jat.3917

    Single paraben-containing cosmetics were judged not to pose a hazard, but the authors advised limiting simultaneous use of many such products because of possible cumulative oestrogenic effects.

Masks that contain Propylparaben