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Ingredient register

Propylparaben

Limit Endocrine disruptor Cosmetics and personal care CAS 94-13-3

Decode Label flags Propylparaben as a moderate concern in cosmetics and personal care (endocrine disruptor). It was not found in any of the 893 published products we have analysed.

The concern

Paraben preservative — endocrine disruption concern

Propylparaben has stronger oestrogenic activity than methylparaben. The EU has restricted its use to 0.14% in cosmetics due to endocrine disruption concerns. It has been detected in breast tissue and is a focus of ongoing research into hormone-sensitive cancers.

Most relevant to

People who are pregnant Anyone using this regularly

Cited authority

EU Regulation 1223/2009; Darbre et al. 2004

Linked sources: EU →

Not found in this catalogue

0 of 893 published products Decode Label has analysed list Propylparaben or any of its label synonyms. That describes this catalogue, not the Indian market as a whole. If a product we score lists it, it will appear here and its score will reflect it.

Hazard classification

EU Commission Reg. (EU) 1004/2014 — combined with butylparaben, max 0.14% as acid Restricted route: dermal 2014-09-18 source →

Based on SCCS/1514/13: safe if propylparaben+butylparaben combined stay at or below 0.14% (as acid, 0.19% as esters). Also prohibited in leave-on nappy-area products for children under 3.

Identity

Canonical name
Propylparaben
CAS number
94-13-3

Also appears on labels as

Propyl 4-Hydroxybenzoate Nipagin P

Questions

Is Propylparaben safe?

EU: Commission Reg. (EU) 1004/2014 — combined with butylparaben, max 0.14% as acid. Why it is flagged: Paraben preservative — endocrine disruption concern. Decode Label treats it as a moderate concern in cosmetics and personal care. It was not found in any of the 893 published products we have analysed.

How common is Propylparaben in Indian packaged products?

Decode Label has not found Propylparaben in any of the 893 published products analysed so far. That describes this catalogue, not the Indian market as a whole.

Which authorities have classified Propylparaben?

EU — Commission Reg. (EU) 1004/2014 — combined with butylparaben, max 0.14% as acid.

Who should be most careful with Propylparaben?

People who are pregnant; Anyone using this regularly.

Related ingredients

Other entries in the register with the same kind of concern.

Dibutyl Phthalate 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor BHT Butylparaben Climbazole Cyclomethicone

Method and limits

  • Prevalence counts published products whose decoded ingredient list matches this substance or one of its label synonyms, using the same matching the score itself uses. It describes our catalogue of 893 products, not the Indian market as a whole.
  • Presence is not dose. An ingredient list gives order, not quantity, unless the pack declares a percentage. Nothing here estimates how much of this substance any product contains.
  • A classification is not a verdict on a product. An agency classifies a substance under defined conditions of exposure; whether that matters in a given food or cosmetic depends on route, concentration and use.
  • No regulatory rows. This substance is not matched in our regulatory warehouse, so the concern above rests on the cited authority alone.
  • Last updated. This register entry was last changed on 28 September 2026.
  • Corrections. Every figure here is reproducible from the sources named. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and say what changed.