What is it?
Methylparaben is an antifungal that is widely used as a preservative for food, drugs, and cosmetics. It is one of the class of parabens that also includes Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, and Butylparaben and is the ester of methyl alcohol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Where is it found?
Methylparaben is found in the following product types:
- moisturizers
- facial moisturizer/treatments
- shampoos
- conditioners
- hand creams
- facial cleansers
- muscle/joint soreness creams
- antiperspirants/deodorants
- bar soaps
- exfoliants/scrubs
- body washes/cleansers
- toothpastes.
What's the concern about it?
There is strong evidence that methyparaben is a human skin toxicant. Regarding cancer potential, one or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells has shown positive mutation results. There are broad organ system toxicity effects at low doses in animal studies, amd moderate doses in animals show effects to the brain and nervous system. It also causes some gene expression disorder.
What's the bottom line?
The FDA considers Methyparaben safe as used in cosmetics according to industry standards. In addition, the FDA considers it safe as a food additive.
Other names for it
- BENZOIC ACID
- 4-HYDROXY-METHYL ESTER
- P-CARBOMRYHOXYPHENOL
- 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
- METHYL ESTER
- P-METHOXYCARBONYLPHENOL
- METHYL 4-HYDROXYBENZOATE
- METHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE
- METHYL PARAHYDROXYBENZOATE
- METHYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-
- METHYL ESTER 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
- 4-HYDROXY- METHYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID.
(Photo credit: SXC)
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