Parabens: Safe or evil?

Let’s embark on a journey through time that takes us back 10 years in time, and let’s take a look at how trends in personal care preservation have changed. In the three-year period between 2009 and 2011, parabens, especially methyl- and propylparaben, were among the most used molecules to prevent microbial spoilage in cosmetics¹. 

Something went wrong, but what exactly?

In the early 2000s, an important debate emerged on the possible correlation between the development of breast cancer and the use of underarm cosmetics containing parabens; there were scientific publications supporting this theory and others disproving this type of correlation. As this related directly to the safety of cosmetic ingredients, the European Commission asked for the opinion of the independent technical committee dedicated to products and consumer safety. Safety evaluations started being released by the SCCP – Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, which later became the SCCS – Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. Seven studies were released in less than 7 years. In all of these, the safety of parabens was evaluated with the help of a number of experiments (carcinogenesis; reproduction, acute chronic and sub chronic toxicity; absorption, metabolism and excretion; mutagenicity; skin cells stimulation). General conclusions confirmed the safety of methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben as indicated in Annex V of the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. 

For other parabens, those characterised by a longer lateral carbon chain, the human risk could not be evaluated and due to this, in accordance with the worst-case approach, their use in cosmetic products has been banned. The EC implemented the conclusions released by the SCCS by updating Annex V Reg. 1223/2009. 

To answer the question “Are parabens safe or evil/toxic cosmetic ingredients?” we can today confirm the safety of methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butyl parabens, if used in accordance with the indications of Annex V of Reg. 1223/2009*.