Butylparaben
INCI: BUTYLPARABEN
Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Butylparaben. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =160 mg/kg/day | oral | rat | reproductive | CIR |
| NOAEL | 1875 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 900 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 4000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 800 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 10 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 14 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| LOAEL | 14.3999996185 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
| LOAEL | 10 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
| dose_tested | 900 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS_DB |
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
SCCS NOAEL Values
NOAEL/LOAEL values cited in official SCCS opinions for Butylparaben.
| NOAEL | LOAEL | Route | Species | Study | DA% (SCCS) | Opinion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 mg/kg/day | - | Oral | Rat (Wistar) | Extended one-generation reproductive (OECD 443) (Multi-generation) | 100 | SCCS/1651/23 (2023) |
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Butylparaben based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Source: ESSCA; IVDK; SCCS/1348/10
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Butylparaben, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Source: SCCS/1348/10, CIR
Expert Verdict
Highest-concern paraben in current science. SCCS 2025: not safe for children 0.5–10 when used across multiple product categories due to aggregate endocrine exposure. Unsuitable for any product line targeting children or families. The clean-beauty market has largely moved away from butylparaben even in adult formulations. Avoid unless there is a specific technical reason and adult-only positioning can be guaranteed.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butylparaben safe in cosmetics?
Highest-concern paraben in current science. SCCS 2025: not safe for children 0.5–10 when used across multiple product categories due to aggregate endocrine exposure. Unsuitable for any product line targeting children or families. The clean-beauty market has largely moved away from butylparaben even in adult formulations. Avoid unless there is a specific technical reason and adult-only positioning can be guaranteed. The EU classifies Butylparaben as "restricted". Safety rating: MODERATE. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by sccs.
Is Butylparaben allowed in the EU?
Butylparaben EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.14% (as acid). This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Butylparaben do in cosmetics?
Butylparaben functions as: Preservative. It is classified as a Preservative in our database. CAS number: 94-26-8.
What is the Margin of Safety for Butylparaben?
adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.
What is the NOAEL for Butylparaben?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Butylparaben is =160 mg/kg/day based on a reproductive study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: CIR.
Compliance Tools
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