Parabens

They keep products free from bacteria that would otherwise spoil the product and could cause real harm to the user.

Parabens and their derivatives can be found in plants such as blueberries, or even in green tea. Specific members of the paraben family are approved for use as preservatives in both the EU and UK Cosmetics Regulations and they are also approved food additives in the UK and EU and are very common compounds in food, beer, medicines, and more. They are among the most widely used of preservatives, having been in use for more than fifty years with an excellent safety record.

Parabens are one of the most thoroughly studied classes of cosmetic ingredients. In the UK, Europe and in the USA, independent expert scientific panels have conducted safety assessments on different members of the paraben family several times and confirmed their safety. The assessments cover all possible sources of harm including cancer, reproductive effects, endocrine disruption, allergy and more. Only the specific parabens which have undergone a rigorous safety assessment are allowed to be used in the UK.

Regulatory authorities from around the world have independently reviewed parabens in cosmetics and found them to be safe. Organisations such as Cancer Research UK, the NHS and the American Cancer Society all state that a link cannot be made between parabens and breast cancer.

For further information, see our FAQ on FAQ on Parabens.