Are Parabens Bad for You?

US and European regulators treat them differently. The FDA describes parabens as a family of related chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics, most often methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben, and says it does not currently have information showing that parabens as used in cosmetics have an effect on human health. Its scientists continue to review published studies.

The European Union moved five parabens, isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben and pentylparaben, onto its list of substances prohibited in cosmetics in 2014, after its scientific committee received too little safety information to evaluate the risk to people. The FDA says it has no special rules for preservatives, which the law treats like any other cosmetic ingredient.

California has banned the manufacture and sale of cosmetics with intentionally added isobutylparaben or isopropylparaben since January 1, 2025.

Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.

The sources behind this answer

  • Government sourceThe FDA says parabens are a family of related chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics, to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. US FDA ↗
  • Government sourceThe FDA says the parabens used most commonly in cosmetics are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben. US FDA ↗
  • Government sourceThe FDA says its scientists continue to review published studies, and that it does not have information showing that parabens as used in cosmetics have an effect on human health. US FDA ↗
  • Regulatory filingThe FDA says it has no special rules that apply only to preservatives in cosmetics, and the law treats them the same as other cosmetic ingredients. US FDA ↗
  • Regulatory filingA 2014 EU regulation prohibited isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben and pentylparaben in cosmetics, after too little safety information was submitted for their risk to be evaluated. European Union, EUR-Lex ↗
  • Regulatory filingCalifornia’s AB 2762 has barred manufacturing or selling cosmetics with intentionally added isobutylparaben or isopropylparaben since January 1, 2025. California Legislature ↗

Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.

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