Loading…
Quick answer: Benzylparaben carries the heavier risk profile. Benzylparaben is banned in the EU and allowed in the US; Propylparaben is restricted in the EU and allowed in the US.
| Property | Benzylparaben | Propylparaben |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | Banned | Restricted |
| US status | Allowed | Allowed |
| Risk level | high | high |
| Banned in | European Union | — |
| Restricted in | — | European Union |
| Category | paraben | paraben |
| Where it hides | older cosmetics | lotion, shampoo, makeup |
Benzylparaben (Benzylparaben) is a paraben preservative.
Propylparaben is a paraben preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.
Benzylparaben: Banned in EU cosmetics in 2014 over safety data gaps.
Propylparaben: Propylparaben is an endocrine-disrupting paraben with weak estrogenic activity. The EU restricts its concentration; it remains unrestricted federally in the US.
Scan a barcode and we'll flag both Benzylparaben and Propylparaben (plus 140+ other ingredients banned overseas).
Scan free →