Ask the Expert: What Are Parabens in Cosmetics and Are They Safe?

In a recently released memorandum, Kiehl's - one of our favorite brands in the L'Oréal portfolio - announced that not only their favorite Ultra face cream get a paraben-free formula, but all Kiehl formulas in production will be paraben-free by the end of 2019. And it's hardly the only brand making this transition. As more and more beauty brands begin to phase out parabens from their formulas, it's worth taking a deeper look at parabens to try and understand why they're being vilified so much. Are parabens really harmful? US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have enough information to show that parabens used in cosmetics are not safe, so what gives? To get to the heart of the paraben debate, we reached out to board certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand (@houshmandmd).  

What are parabens?

Parabens are hardly new to the skincare scene. According to Dr. Houshmand, they are a type of preservative and have been around since the 1950s. “Parabens are used to extend the shelf life of cosmetics by preventing the growth of mold and bacteria inside them,” she says. 

Keep in mind that most food labels don't take up the limited space to show off preservatives front and center. You most likely need to look at the ingredient list to see if parabens are present. “The most common parabens in skin care are butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben,” says Dr. Huschmand.

Are parabens safe?

If Kiehl's and other beauty brands are phasing out parabens, that must mean there's something really awful about using products with their ingredients, right? Well, not really. There are many reasons a brand would like to remove parabens from their product line, one of which could be a direct response to consumer demand or desire. If more and more people want to use preservative-free products (including parabens), brands will no doubt respond in kind.  

Although the FDA continues to evaluate data related to the safety of parabens, they have yet to discover any health hazards associated with parabens in cosmetics. Much of the public discontent and paranoia about parabens can be attributed to study found traces of parabens in breast tissue. “The study did not prove that parabens can cause cancer, but it did show that parabens are able to penetrate the skin and stay in tissues,” says Dr. Huschmand. "That's why they are considered harmful."

Should I use products containing parabens?

This is a personal choice. Research into the safety of parabens is ongoing, but no risks have been identified by the FDA at this time. “It is important to note that the percentage of preservative in the formulation is usually very small,” Dr. Huschmand. “Also, there are a lot of preservatives available, so less parabens are used.” 

If you're looking to ditch parabens in your skincare, our list is paraben-free skin care products great place to start! Dr. Hushmand cautions, however, that just because a label says "paraben-free" doesn't mean it's truly free of irritants or other preservatives. “Paraben-free can mean that other preservatives are used that contain synthetic ingredients that can damage or irritate the skin,” she says. “In general, I advise everyone to read labels, but also be aware of skin reactions. Not everyone will have the same reaction to foods." If you have any questions about using products or parabens, see a dermatologist. "We offer specialized patch testing to determine what you're particularly sensitive to," says Dr. Houshmand.