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Quick answer: Both score equally on our risk model. Isobutylparaben is banned in the EU and allowed in the US; Phenylparaben is banned in the EU and allowed in the US.
| Property | Isobutylparaben | Phenylparaben |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | Banned | Banned |
| US status | Allowed | Allowed |
| Risk level | high | high |
| Banned in | European Union | European Union |
| Restricted in | — | — |
| Category | paraben | paraben |
| Where it hides | lotion, shampoo, makeup | older cosmetics |
Isobutylparaben is a paraben preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.
Phenylparaben (Phenylparaben) is a paraben preservative.
Isobutylparaben: Isobutylparaben is an endocrine-disrupting paraben with weak estrogenic activity. The EU banned it in 2014; it remains unrestricted federally in the US.
Phenylparaben: Banned in EU cosmetics in 2014 over safety data gaps.
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