Description
These synthetic preservatives are frequently used in cosmetics and personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners, hair styling gels, nail creams, foundations, facial masks, skin creams, and deodorants. Parabens can be an ingredient in baby lotions, shampoos, and other personal care products for children.
Methyl and propyl parabens are also allowed for use as food preservatives in small quantities. They are considered "Generally Recognized As Safe" for food uses.
Health Effects
Immediate Health Effects
- If SWALLOWED, parabens is Slightly Toxic
- If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, parabens is Not Available
- If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), parabens is Not Available
Longterm or Delayed Health Effects
- Parabens have been found in breast tumors, but there is no conclusion on if parabens play a role in cancer development.
- Allergen
- Suspected Endocrine Disruptor = May interfere with, mimic or block hormones
Other
- May cause skin irritation, rash or dermatitis, or allergic skin reactions.
- Parabens have been found to act like the hormone estrogen in laboratory experiments, although the activity was somewhat weak.
How Exposures Occur
Eating Processed Foods
- Children may ingest parabens in small quantities from processed foods that contain parabens.
Skin Absorption from Personal Care Products
- Parabens can penetrate a child’s skin and scalp after use of skin and hair care products that contain parabens.
Significant Statistics
Parabens are the most widely used cosmetic preservatives.
Parabens. US Food and Drug Administration. October 31, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/SelectedCosmeticIngredients/ucm128042.htm.
Most major brands of deodorants and antiperspirants do not contain parabens.
Parabens. US Food and Drug Administration. October 31, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/SelectedCosmeticIngredients/ucm128042.htm
Solutions
How to detect parabens
- Read labels. Look for the ingredients butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, or propylparaben on ingredient listings on personal care products and processed food packaging.
A search for any of these chemicals in the National Library of Medicine’s Household Products Database will show a list of brands that contain them.
- You can search for personal care products containing parabens on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Searchable Product Guide website.
How to minimize exposure to parabens
Alternatives
- Natural personal care products are sold in natural foods stores. Some may still contain parabens, so check labels before purchasing.
- Whole, certified organic and minimally processed foods generally do not contain synthetic preservatives.
For More information
Books, articles, factsheets and reports
Other government agencies
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740-3835
888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov
Nonprofit organizations
Environmental Working Group
1436 U Street. NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-6982
http://www.ewg.org/
Other websites
National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov
Because We're Worth it! The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
http://www.safecosmetics.org
