Parabens as Preservatives

Parabens occur as a natural substance found in many plants and some insects, although they are manufactured synthetically for use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foods to prevent decomposition due to bacterial action. Among preservatives, the Parabens are the most commonly used because of their low toxicity to humans and their effective antimicrobial activity, especially against molds and yeasts. The Parabens are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The Parabens are Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, utylparaben.Food additive Propylparaben has the E number E216.

USES IN COSMETICS

Parabens have been successfully used in cosmetics for more than 80 years. The use of Paraben, alone or in combinationwith other compounds, is well suited for the preservation of cosmetics.

USES IN FOOD

Under FDA regulation, food additive Methylparaben and Propylparaben are generally recognized as safe (GRAS)when used as chemicalpreservatives in foods, with ause limit of 0.1% for each.They are used in processed vegetables, baked goods, fats and oils, seasonings, sugar substitutes, and frozen dairy products in concentrations up to 0.1%.

USES IN PHARMACEUTICALS PHARMACEUTICALS

Parabens were first used in pharmaceutical products in 1924. Since then, they have been incorporated as preservatives in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations. Combinations of Parabens are more effective as preservatives than individual esters.

The Parabens are the most commonly used preservatives because of theillow toxicity to humans and their effective antimicrobial activity, especiallyagainst molds and yeasts.

Parabens have been studied by a lot of researchers and its safety has beenconfirmed from numerous test results.Parabens are observed and approved by official organizations all over theworld.

Therefore, we can conclude people can safely use products that containparabens.