Is Butylparaben Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Butylparaben is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (parabens).
INCI name Butylparaben. CAS 94-26-8.
Is Butylparaben banned in the EU?
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | lotion, shampoo, makeup, deodorant |
| CAS number | 94-26-8 |
What is Butylparaben?
Butylparaben is a paraben preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.
Why is Butylparaben used in personal-care products?
Parabens are inexpensive, effective broad-spectrum preservatives.
Is Butylparaben dangerous? Documented risks
Butylparaben is an endocrine-disrupting paraben with weak estrogenic activity. The EU restricts its concentration; it remains unrestricted federally in the US.
Products that may contain Butylparaben
How to avoid Butylparaben: safer alternatives
Choose paraben-free products and EU-compliant brands. BannedPantry flags restricted parabens on the INCI list.
Frequently asked questions about Butylparaben
Is Butylparaben banned in the EU?
Butylparaben is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Butylparaben in US cosmetics?
Yes — Butylparaben can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
What products contain Butylparaben?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Butylparaben automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Butylparaben?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Butylparaben.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Butylparaben or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Related parabens
Avoiding banned beauty ingredients? Check your food, too.
Sources
- EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II (prohibited substances) — EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
- EU endocrine disruptor list I — EU ED Lists
- EU-banned cosmetics ingredients and US impact — RegASK
Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.