Methylparaben
INCI: METHYLPARABEN
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 Methylparaben. 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 | =1000 mg/kg/day | oral | rat | subchronic | CIR |
| NOAEL | 800 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 5700 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Chronic | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 550 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 550 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 300 mg/kg bw/day | oral | hamster | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 300 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rabbit | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1180 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 650 mg/kg bw/day | oral | hamster | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 4000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | 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 Methylparaben.
| 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/1652/23 (2023) |
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Methylparaben based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Source: ESSCA; IVDK; SCCS/1348/10
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Methylparaben, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Source: SCCS/1348/10, CIR
Expert Verdict
Well-studied paraben; SCCS confirmed safe at EU limit of 0.4%. Lowest concern among the paraben family with no child-use restrictions at this level. Reasonable choice where paraben-free positioning is not required.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methylparaben safe in cosmetics?
Well-studied paraben; SCCS confirmed safe at EU limit of 0.4%. Lowest concern among the paraben family with no child-use restrictions at this level. Reasonable choice where paraben-free positioning is not required. The EU classifies Methylparaben as "restricted". Safety rating: GOOD. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by sccs.
Is Methylparaben allowed in the EU?
Methylparaben EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.4% (as acid); mixture cap all parabens 0.8%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Methylparaben do in cosmetics?
Methylparaben functions as: preservative. It is classified as a Preservative in our database. CAS number: 99-76-3.
What is the Margin of Safety for Methylparaben?
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 Methylparaben?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Methylparaben is =1000 mg/kg/day based on a subchronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: CIR.
Compliance Tools
Check Methylparaben compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Related Ingredients
Is Methylparaben in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Methylparaben in your formulation.