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Skin care and cosmetics

Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate

What the research shows

Prototype

Concerning

in animal and lab studies only

2 of 3 health findings on this page · See the findings

Used on skin in creams, lotions, sunscreens, makeup and soaps.

On cosmetic labels it is often listed as propylparaben.

What research says

Animal and lab studies only

  • Concern

    Hormone effects on the body4

    Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate shows weak estrogen-like activity in lab studies, but more research is needed.

  • Concern

    Skin collagen levels5

    Propylparaben lowered collagen in human skin cells, and rosmarinic acid protected against this.

  • No harm found

    Male reproductive health6

    Scientists now doubt the rat study that got propylparaben restricted, and newer rat studies found no male reproductive effects.

Study type not stated

  • Open question

    Hormone effects in the body3

    Scientists do not yet know whether propylparaben can disrupt hormones, though some signs of it exist.

How it’s made and used

  • Paraben exposure by age1

    Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate was found in some children's cosmetics, and exposure went down as children got older.

  • How the body handles it2

    Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate rubbed on skin enters the blood more slowly and stays longer than when swallowed.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what published research says about putting it on skin. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist about your own skin.

Regulatory status

We have not checked cosmetic regulations for this ingredient yet.

References

  1. 1Wang R, Chen C, Cheng Q, et al. Preliminary safety risk assessment of parabens in children's cosmetics sold in China. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2025;163:105935. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2025.105935
  2. 2Shin MY, Choi JW, Lee S, et al. Pharmacokinetics of transdermal methyl-, ethyl-, and propylparaben in humans following single dermal administration. Chemosphere. 2023;310:136689. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136689
  3. 3SCCS Members. Electronic address: SANTE-C2-SCCS@ec.europa.eu, SCCS External Experts, SCCS Members. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) - Final Opinion on propylparaben (CAS No 94-13-3, EC No 202-307-7). Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2021;125:105005. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.105005
  4. 4Jones K, Kemp MJ, Barlow CA. Assessing systemic absorption and estrogenic potential of methylparaben and propylparaben in consumer use. Toxicol Ind Health. 2026;42(3):94-99. doi:10.1177/07482337261419181
  5. 5Matwiejczuk N, Galicka A, Zaręba I, Brzóska MM. The Protective Effect of Rosmarinic Acid Against Unfavorable Influence of Methylparaben and Propylparaben on Collagen in Human Skin Fibroblasts. Nutrients. 2020;12(5). doi:10.3390/nu12051282
  6. 6Snodin D. Regulatory risk assessments: Is there a need to reduce uncertainty and enhance robustness? Update on propylparaben in relation to its EU regulatory status. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2017;36(10):1007-1014. doi:10.1177/0960327117718042