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Data: Robust

Propylparaben

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

SEARCH PRODUCTS

Other Concerns

Use restrictions (moderate), Endocrine disruption (high), and Ecotoxicology (low)

SYNONYMS

● K713
● PROPYLPARABEN, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIAL
● CS-0018518
● AK106260
● NCGC00090965-06
● NCGC00090965-07
● E216
● P1955
● ST075003
● T8305

Unacceptable

Unacceptable: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient

Propylparaben is in the paraben family of preservatives used by the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care product industries. Parabens mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • MODERATE
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • MODERATE
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • MODERATE
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

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shampoo56 products
conditioner128 products
hand cream64 products
antiperspirant/deodorant1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)1 products
anti-aging33 products
bronzer/highlighter118 products
foundation494 products
makeup primer27 products
setting powder/spray25 products
moisturizer323 products
facial cleanser95 products
foot moisturizer22 products
around-eye cream27 products
facial moisturizer/treatment122 products
styling gel/lotion63 products
mask41 products
skin fading/lightener10 products
styling mousse/foam14 products
hair styling aid91 products
brow liner159 products
eye makeup remover5 products
body wash/cleanser13 products
sunless tanning27 products
makeup remover15 products
concealer178 products
mascara298 products
facial powder194 products
blush108 products
lipstick327 products
eye liner246 products
eye shadow339 products
lip liner110 products
lip gloss163 products
lip balm50 products
BB cream18 products
hair color and bleaching21 products
hair treatment/serum70 products
hair-loss treatment11 products
detangler5 products
after shave12 products
daily use with SPF33 products
oil controller3 products
baby shampoo2 products
body firming lotion74 products
toothpaste6 products
nail treatment12 products
after sun product13 products
hair relaxer7 products
hair spray11 products
glitter5 products
cuticle treatment5 products
toners/astringents14 products
shaving cream19 products
exfoliant/scrub24 products
nail polish33 products
polish remover1 products
hand sanitizer11 products
Bath and Body Wipes4 products
body oil3 products
mouthwash37 products
muscle/joint soreness3 products
Other Hair Care Preparations1 products
Hair Styling Gel4 products
recreational sunscreen28 products
foot cleansing1 products
baby sunscreen4 products
diaper cream5 products
baby lotion5 products
bath oil/salts/soak4 products
serums & essences18 products
baby oil1 products
fragrance for women4 products
Fragrance Lotion or Cream2 products
damaged skin treatment7 products
lip plumper1 products
other eye makeup30 products
shaving cream (men's)3 products
bar soap3 products
Eye Shadow Primers1 products
beard care3 products
tooth whitening3 products
hair removal waxes3 products
Facial Sun Care1 products
depilatory2 products
tanning oil2 products
nail glue1 products
liquid hand soap3 products
Wipes2 products
lip balm with SPF3 products
Face Wipes2 products
beard cleanser1 products
baby soap1 products
Oils & Serums1 products
foot odor control2 products
body powder1 products
Dry Shampoo and Hair Powders1 products
Exfoliants1 products
Nail Creams and Lotions1 products
Tanning Sprays1 products
eyelash glue1 products
bubble bath1 products

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Human immune toxicant or allergen - moderate evidenceContact urticaria and its mechanisms(1994-02-01)
Human immune toxicant or allergen - strong evidenceSafety assessment of propyl paraben: a review of the published literature(2001-06-01)

Endocrine disruption

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruptionSome alkyl hydroxy benzoate preservatives (parabens) are estrogenic(1998-11-01)
Limited evidence of endocrine disruptionEffect of UV screens and preservatives on vitellogenin and choriogenin production in male medaka (Oryzias latipes)(2003-12-15)
Limited evidence of disruptionEffect of UV screens and preservatives on vitellogenin and choriogenin production in male medaka (Oryzias latipes)(2003-12-15)
Limited evidence of endocrine disruptionPossible endocrine disrupting effects of parabens and their metabolites(2010-09-01)
Limited evidence of endocrine disruptionExtended Opinion on the Safety Evaluation of Parabens Adopted by the SCCP by written procedure on 28 January 2005(2005-01-01)
Human endocrine disruptor - strong evidenceEuropean Union
One or more studies show significant wildlife and the environment disruptionEuropean Union
Known human endocrine disruptorEuropean Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruptionPeer Reviewed Literature

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more animal studies show effects at low dosesEffects of propyl paraben on the male reproductive system(2002-12-01)
Possible human reproductive or developmental toxinEuropean Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Wildlife and environmental toxicityEvaluation of xenoestrogenic potential of propylparaben in zebrafish (Danio rerio)(2006-12-01)
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada

Use restrictions

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Opinion on Parabens, COLIPA n P82(2010-12-14)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Clarification on Opinion SCCS/1348/10 in the light of the Danish clause of safeguard banning the use of parabens in cosmetic products intended for children under three years of age(2011-10-01)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualificationsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Multiple, additive exposure sources

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodUS Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada
  • Contact urticaria and its mechanisms(1994-02-01)
  • Safety assessment of propyl paraben: a review of the published literature(2001-06-01)
  • Some alkyl hydroxy benzoate preservatives (parabens) are estrogenic(1998-11-01)
  • Effect of UV screens and preservatives on vitellogenin and choriogenin production in male medaka (Oryzias latipes)(2003-12-15)
  • Possible endocrine disrupting effects of parabens and their metabolites(2010-09-01)
  • Extended Opinion on the Safety Evaluation of Parabens Adopted by the SCCP by written procedure on 28 January 2005(2005-01-01)
  • European Union
  • European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Peer Reviewed Literature
  • Effects of propyl paraben on the male reproductive system(2002-12-01)
  • Evaluation of xenoestrogenic potential of propylparaben in zebrafish (Danio rerio)(2006-12-01)
  • Environment Canada
  • Opinion on Parabens, COLIPA n P82(2010-12-14)
  • Clarification on Opinion SCCS/1348/10 in the light of the Danish clause of safeguard banning the use of parabens in cosmetic products intended for children under three years of age(2011-10-01)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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