Paraben is a preservative used in cosmetics to prevent mold or microbial growth. The use of parabens protect the consumer who uses the product and maintains the product”s integrity. They can be found in products such as makeup, moisturizers, hair care products, and shaving products. They are also used in food and drugs. It is the most widely used preservative used in the cosmetic industry. They are popular because they are inexpensive, colorless, odorless and nontoxic.
The proven and most studied preservatives are the paraben family. Parabens were first introduced in the 1930″s. Parabens have been used safely and effectively for years. This includes propyl paraben, methyl paraben, and butyl paraben, benzyl paraben and ethyl paraben. There are numerous clinic studies that verify the safety of the use of parabens. The US Environmental Protection Agency gave parabens the GRAS status, Generally Recognized as Safe, in 1995. Also, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, reviewed the safety of parabens and concluded that parabens were safe for use in cosmetic levels up to 0.4% and combined parabens up to 0.8%. The FDA has declared that there is no reason for consumers to be concerned about using cosmetics containing parabens. Overall, clinical studies have shown parabens to be non-toxic and safe for use in cosmetics (Food & Chemical Toxicology(2005),43(7),985-1015).