Is Isopropylparaben Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Isopropylparaben is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (parabens).
INCI name Isopropylparaben. CAS 4191-73-5.
Is Isopropylparaben banned in the EU?
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | lotion, shampoo, makeup, deodorant |
| CAS number | 4191-73-5 |
What is Isopropylparaben?
Isopropylparaben is a paraben preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.
Why is Isopropylparaben used in personal-care products?
Parabens are inexpensive, effective broad-spectrum preservatives.
Is Isopropylparaben dangerous? Documented risks
Isopropylparaben is an endocrine-disrupting paraben with weak estrogenic activity. The EU banned it in 2014; it remains unrestricted federally in the US.
Products that may contain Isopropylparaben
- lotion
- shampoo
- makeup
- deodorant
How to avoid Isopropylparaben: safer alternatives
Choose paraben-free products and EU-compliant brands. BannedPantry flags restricted parabens on the INCI list.
Frequently asked questions about Isopropylparaben
Is Isopropylparaben banned in the EU?
Isopropylparaben is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Isopropylparaben in US cosmetics?
Yes — Isopropylparaben 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 Isopropylparaben?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Isopropylparaben automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Isopropylparaben?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Isopropylparaben.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Isopropylparaben 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.