Are parabens safe? What the science and regulators say

Parabens used within legal limits are considered safe by regulators. The FDA says it has no information showing that parabens in cosmetics affect human health, and the EU allows methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben within set concentrations. The concern is that some parabens can weakly mimic estrogen in lab studies, which is why the EU tightened rules and some people prefer to limit them.

What are parabens and why are they used?

Parabens are a family of related chemicals used as preservatives. Any product that contains water, from creams and shampoos to makeup, can grow bacteria and mold once you open it and dip your fingers in. Preservatives keep products safe to use until they run out.

The parabens you'll see most often on labels are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. They're cheap, effective against a broad range of microbes and have been used for decades, which is why they became so common. Parabens are also used in some foods and medicines.

Why do people say parabens are bad?

The worries come from two directions:

• Hormone-like activity. In lab and animal studies, some parabens act like a very weak version of the hormone estrogen. Longer-chain parabens (propyl- and butylparaben) show more of this activity than short-chain ones (methyl- and ethylparaben). This is why parabens are often called suspected endocrine disruptors.
• Detection in the body. Studies have found parabens in human urine and tissue, which shows that people absorb them. Finding a substance in the body doesn't by itself show that it causes harm, but it is a reason scientists keep studying exposure.

For a broader look at this topic, read our guide to endocrine disruptors in cosmetics.

Parabens and cancer: what the evidence says

The fear that parabens cause breast cancer grew from lab findings and a widely reported study that found parabens in breast tumor tissue. That study didn't show that parabens caused the tumors. Cancer Research UK states that parabens do not cause cancer and that there's no reliable evidence they cause breast cancer in people. It also says deodorants and antiperspirants don't increase cancer risk.

Scientists still study long-term, low-level exposure to substances with hormone-like activity, so research continues. But the current evidence doesn't support the idea that using a paraben-preserved lotion raises your cancer risk.

What regulators say: FDA and EU rules

United States (FDA)

The FDA says its scientists continue to review published studies on parabens but that it doesn't have information showing that parabens, as they are used in cosmetics, have an effect on human health. The FDA has no special rules for preservatives in cosmetics, so there are no US concentration limits specific to parabens.

European Union (European Commission and SCCS)

The EU took a more cautious route after reviews by its Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS):

The nappy-area ban reflects the SCCS's concern about babies' immature metabolism and possibly damaged skin under a diaper. The EU has since looked at some parabens again as part of a wider review of possible endocrine disruptors in cosmetics.

Is paraben-free better? The trade-offs

A "paraben-free" label tells you what isn't in the product, not what replaced it. Water-based products still need a preservative, and the alternatives have their own issues:

• Methylisothiazolinone (MI) became a common replacement and then caused a wave of contact allergies, which led the EU to restrict it.
• Formaldehyde releasers such as DMDM hydantoin can trigger reactions in people allergic to formaldehyde.
• Phenoxyethanol is widely used and regulated with a concentration limit.
• Weak or no preservation can let products spoil faster, which is a safety problem of its own.

Parabens are also a relatively uncommon cause of contact allergy on intact skin compared with fragrance and some other preservatives. Our guide to preservatives in cosmetics compares the main options.

How Green Point flags parabens

Green Point takes a precautionary approach. Methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben are classified as "Paraben", "Suspected endocrine disruptor" and "Regulated", and suspected endocrine disruptors lower a product's score. That reflects open scientific questions and the EU's restrictions, not a finding that a paraben-preserved product will harm you.

Green Point is just as cautious with several common paraben substitutes, so a "paraben-free" product doesn't automatically score higher. If you want to limit parabens, the most useful place to start is leave-on products you apply over large areas, and products for babies and young children. Learn to spot them in our guide to reading cosmetic ingredient labels.