Propylparaben
INCI: PROPYLPARABEN
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 Propylparaben. 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 | 1500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Chronic | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 5700 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Chronic | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | hamster | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 4000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | dog | Chronic | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 3000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 100 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 12 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| LOAEL | 12 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
SCCS NOAEL Values
NOAEL/LOAEL values cited in official SCCS opinions for Propylparaben.
| NOAEL | LOAEL | Route | Species | Study | DA% (SCCS) | Opinion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 mg/kg/day | - | Oral | Rat (Wistar) | Extended one-generation reproductive (OECD 443) (~10 weeks premating + gestation + lactation) | 100 | SCCS/1623/20 (2021) |
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Propylparaben based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Source: ESSCA; IVDK; SCCS/1348/10
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Propylparaben, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Source: SCCS/1348/10, CIR
Expert Verdict
Moderate concern paraben restricted to 0.14% in EU and banned in leave-on nappy-area products for infants under 3 years due to aggregate exposure risk across multiple products and higher absorption in infant skin; acceptable in adult rinse-off formulations with transparent labeling.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Propylparaben safe in cosmetics?
Moderate concern paraben restricted to 0.14% in EU and banned in leave-on nappy-area products for infants under 3 years due to aggregate exposure risk across multiple products and higher absorption in infant skin; acceptable in adult rinse-off formulations with transparent labeling. The EU classifies Propylparaben as "restricted". Safety rating: MODERATE. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is Propylparaben allowed in the EU?
Propylparaben EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.14% (as acid). This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Propylparaben do in cosmetics?
Propylparaben functions as: Preservative. It is classified as a Preservative in our database. CAS number: 94-13-3.
What is the Margin of Safety for Propylparaben?
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 Propylparaben?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Propylparaben is 1500 mg/kg bw/day based on a Chronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Compliance Tools
Check Propylparaben compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Related Ingredients
Is Propylparaben 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 Propylparaben in your formulation.