Butylparaben

Butylparaben is an alkyl paraben widely used in personal care as a preservative component. It inhibits microbial spoilage and extends product shelf stability across emulsions, cleansers, and makeup when formulated at controlled levels.
Like this ingredient?

Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A preservative that keeps products from spoiling.
Category
Preservative
Type
Preservative

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Good

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Keeps products fresher for longer by helping prevent microbial growth, supporting safer daily use by reducing the chance of contamination between openings.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Included in serums, lotions, and body creams to maintain freshness, and also used in shampoos and conditioners to preserve water-rich formulas.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Overall low irritation potential, though rare allergic reactions are possible. In the EU, propyl- and butylparaben together are limited to a maximum of 0.14% (as acid) and are not allowed in leave-on products for the diaper area of children under three. No comparable concentration limits are set in the U.S. at this time.

Is Butylparaben a Good Ingredient?

This is a well-studied preservative that effectively limits microbial growth at low levels, supporting product longevity with generally low irritation rates, which earns it a Good rating; sensitivities can occur in a minority of users.

Products with Butylparaben

Related Ingredients