What are parabens?
Paraben’s are the most widely used preservatives in cosmetic products. Chemically, paraben’s are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The most common paraben’s used in cosmetic products are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Typically, more than one paraben is used in a product, and they are often used in combination with other types of preservatives to provide preservation against a broad range of micro-organisms. The use of mixtures of paraben’s allows the use of lower levels while increasing preservative activity. Why are preservatives used in cosmetics? Preservatives may be used in cosmetics to protect them against microbial growth, both to protect consumers and to maintain product integrity. What kinds of products contain paraben’s? They are used in a wide variety of cosmetics, as well as foods and drugs. Cosmetics that may contain paraben’s include makeup, moisturizers, hair care products, and shaving products, among others. Most major brands of deodorants and antiperspi
