Ethylparaben
Also known as Ethyl parahydroxybenzoate, Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, Ethylparaben
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
Ethylparaben (ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate; CAS 120-47-8; C9H10O3) is a short-chain paraben ester and one of the most extensively studied cosmetic preservatives. The 2008 CIR paraben re-review (IJT 27(S4):1-82, PMID 19101832) assessed seven parabens together and concluded ethylparaben 'safe as used' — an unconditional 'S' finding in the QRT with no detail-column conditions. The 2013 SCCS revised opinion (SCCS/1514/13) confirmed ethylparaben safe at up to 0.4% (as acid) for all consumer groups including children under three years; unlike propylparaben and butylparaben, ethylparaben carries no pediatric restriction. Both regulatory bodies explicitly evaluated estrogenic activity and concluded ethylparaben's potency is too low to produce systemic effects at cosmetic-use concentrations. The 2020 paraben safety review (Matwiejczuk et al., PMID 31903662) reinforces that single-cosmetic use of paraben-containing products does not pose a hazard, though cumulative multi-product exposure warrants attention.
One of the most extensively studied cosmetic preservatives globally; long safety record across both CIR and SCCS frameworks
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity effective against molds, yeasts, and gram-positive bacteria; water-soluble and compatible with a wide pH range
CIR unconditional 'S' finding (2008) and SCCS approved at 0.4% without any pediatric restriction (2013) — among the most favourably assessed paraben preservatives in both regulatory frameworks
Consumer-transparent: appears clearly on ingredient labels as 'ethylparaben', enabling informed avoidance for those who choose paraben-free formulations
- · Occasional contact allergy: patch-test prevalence is low but documented for parabens as a class; affected individuals should check ingredient labels
Endocrine disruption concern: parabens have weak estrogenic activity measurable in vitro; regulatory consensus (CIR 2008, SCCS 2013) is that ethylparaben specifically does not produce systemic estrogenic effects at cosmetic-use concentrations — the concern applies more strongly to longer-chain parabens (propyl, butyl)
Cumulative paraben exposure: Matwiejczuk et al. 2020 cautions that simultaneous use of multiple paraben-containing products may lead to cumulative exposure warranting attention, even if individual-product use is safe
CIR Quick Reference Table (12/2017, revised 07/2018) — ETHYLPARABEN row: Finding=S, Citation=IJT 27(S4):1-82, 2008; JACT 3(5):147-209, 19…
“Ethylparaben S IJT 27(S4): 1-82, 2008 JACT 3(5):147-209, 1984 (original report)”— QRT-122017revised072018.pdf, p. 50
SCCS/1514/13 — Opinion on Parabens, updated request on propyl- and butylparaben (3 May 2013): Background section explicitly states methyl…
“Methylparaben and ethylparaben were safe, when used at the maximum authorized concentrations”— sccs_o_132.pdf, p. 5 (section 1. BACKGROUND)