Pr
Propylparaben
Propylparaben
Longer-chain paraben. Permitted in most regions at low concentrations; often paired with methylparaben.
What it does
Propylparaben extends the antifungal coverage that methylparaben provides on the antibacterial side, which is why the two often appear together. Permitted up to 0.14% in the EU. Like methylparaben, the safety record under topical use is strong; the marketing fear is disproportionate to the regulatory consensus.
The evidence, graded
strongCommon sensitivity and contact-allergy triggers in skincare include fragrance (the most-cited cosmetic allergen), essential oils, denatured alcohol, and certain preservatives (methylisothiazolinone, formaldehyde-releasers). Patch test new products on the inner forearm for 48-72 hours before face-wide use.Warshaw 2020 · Dermatitis ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Pairs worth knowing
This page is public and indexed on purpose (unlike profiles and drops, which are unlisted) — it’s the citation behind shared ingredient cards, and it should be findable.
Want more like this?
Get Drop, free. Every flag cites its source, the app tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more products.