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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES Learn more About EWG VERIFIED®

Data: Robust

Butylparaben

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

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Other Concerns

Use restrictions (moderate), Endocrine disruption (high), and Biochemical or cellular level changes (low_moderate)

SYNONYMS

● NCGC00016354-11
● NCGC00091142-01
● NCGC00016354-06
● NCGC00016354-04
● NCGC00016354-01
● NCGC00016354-05
● NCGC00016354-07
● NCGC00091142-02
● 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID-N-BUTYL ESTER 1000 MICROG/ML IN ACETONITRILE
● NCGC00016354-02

Unacceptable

Unacceptable: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient

Butylparaben 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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antiperspirant/deodorant1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)1 products
bronzer/highlighter29 products
foundation182 products
makeup primer5 products
setting powder/spray6 products
styling mousse/foam6 products
styling gel/lotion11 products
hair styling aid12 products
conditioner17 products
around-eye cream5 products
brow liner16 products
sunless tanning15 products
moisturizer29 products
eye shadow32 products
eye liner76 products
hair color and bleaching6 products
facial cleanser20 products
shampoo3 products
facial moisturizer/treatment15 products
body wash/cleanser6 products
concealer87 products
oil controller1 products
anti-aging4 products
baby shampoo1 products
lipstick27 products
mascara38 products
blush20 products
after sun product1 products
lip liner12 products
hair relaxer2 products
eye makeup remover1 products
makeup remover3 products
facial powder33 products
exfoliant/scrub2 products
BB cream1 products
lip gloss6 products
polish remover1 products
hair spray2 products
Bath and Body Wipes1 products
mask9 products
serums & essences4 products
damaged skin treatment3 products
after shave4 products
Under Eye Concealers1 products
body firming lotion1 products
hair treatment/serum6 products
toners/astringents2 products
baby lotion1 products
hair-loss treatment2 products
foot moisturizer2 products
lip balm with SPF2 products
lip balm4 products
Oils & Serums1 products
hand sanitizer1 products
other eye makeup29 products
shaving cream1 products
fragrance for women2 products
tanning oil1 products
recreational sunscreen3 products
body powder1 products
daily use with SPF1 products
fragrance for men1 products
diaper cream1 products
bubble bath1 products
hand cream1 products

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 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 very low dosesEffects of butyl paraben on the male reproductive system in mice(2002-07-01)
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)

Biochemical or cellular level changes

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Interferes with gene expresionComparison of the global gene expression profiles produced by methylparaben, n-butylparaben and 17beta-oestradiol in MCF7 human breast cancer cells(2007-01-01)

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 - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualificationsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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)
Safety assessment was based on related chemicalCosmetic 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)

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)

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

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Human skin toxicant or allergen - strong evidencePeer Reviewed Literature
  • Some alkyl hydroxy benzoate preservatives (parabens) are estrogenic(1998-11-01)
  • 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 butyl paraben on the male reproductive system in mice(2002-07-01)
  • Effects of propyl paraben on the male reproductive system(2002-12-01)
  • Comparison of the global gene expression profiles produced by methylparaben, n-butylparaben and 17beta-oestradiol in MCF7 human breast cancer cells(2007-01-01)
  • 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)
  • Environment Canada

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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