Preservative ingredient
Propylparaben
A longer-chain paraben preservative effective against bacteria and fungi, permitted by EU SCCS at up to 0.14% with specific restrictions on products for infants.
Also known as: propyl paraben, propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
preservative
Benefits
- ✓Broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservation at low concentrations
Watch for
- ⚠Weak estrogenic activity; EU SCCS permits up to 0.14% (as acid) in leave-on and rinse-off products
- ⚠Not permitted in leave-on products for the nappy area of children under three
- ⚠Rare skin sensitization possible
- ⚠Ongoing regulatory scrutiny; EU restricted longer-chain parabens (butyl/propyl) to lower limits than methyl/ethylparaben