Ingredient · Personal Care Active

Parabens

Concerning · 3/10, higher is cleaner

How we reached this

Endocrine disruptors with estrogenic activity. EU banned isopropyl/isobutyl/phenyl/benzyl/pentyl parabens. EWG Skin Deep scores 4-8/10. Detected in breast cancer tumor tissue (Darbre 2004).

Sources · 2

Darbre PD et al. J Appl Toxicol 2004 (parabens in breast tumor tissue)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14745841/
FDA SCOGS / Substances Added to Food (Generally Recognized as Safe) databasehttps://www.cfsanappsexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/?set=SCOGS

Regulatory position

European Union5 parabens BANNED in cosmetics (isopropyl/isobutyl/phenyl/benzyl/pentyl)

United StatesPermitted (21 CFR 184.1490 — methylparaben + propylparaben)

NotesMethyl- + ethyl- + propyl- + butylparaben EU-permitted at reduced max concentration; remaining 5 banned outright (Commission Reg 358/2014). | Methyl- + ethyl- + propyl- + butylparaben EU-permitted at reduced max concentration; remaining 5 banned outright (Commission Reg 358/2014).

Also listed as

butylparabenethylparabenmethylparabenpropylparaben

Products containing this · 1

6Cetaphil Gentle Skin CleanserPersonal care