What Is Methylparaben And Why Is It Used In Skin Care?
Parabens are preservative esters added to skin care products in concentrations of 0.8% (a blend of parabens) to 0.4% (individual paraben) (1). Parabens are of different types: What Are Its Benefits? They stop dangerous fungi, bacteria, and mold from contaminating your makeup products. Who Can Use It? Anyone can use methylparaben except people with sensitive, allergic, or eczema-prone skin types. How Often? Products containing methylparaben can be used every day if used in moderation. Caution Methylparaben can cause allergic reactions in people. Some studies show that it may also cause cancerous skin damage in some cases.
Methylparaben Propylparaben Ethylparaben Isopropyl paraben Butylparaben Isobutylparaben Benzylparaben
Beth, a blogger, discusses her focus on health and beauty products that are “paraben-free” due to her findings about a study suggesting a possible link between parabens and breast cancer. Upon learning this, she ran to her bathroom to check for parabens in her skincare and beauty products. She wrote, “Not only did tons of the products contain them, some had parabens listed in the first few ingredients. Even worse, many of my all-time-favorite products (that I use every day!) contained parabens (i).” So, for those seeking an answer to the question “what are parabens,” learning more about them will help you understand why certain brands add parabens to their products. Out of all, methylparaben is frequently used in cosmetics. It naturally occurs in blueberries and is developed synthetically in labs (2). It is used in cleansers, lotions, moisturizers, masks, gels, skin creams, tanning lotions, and baby skin care products (between 0.3% and 0.5%). Methylparaben serves a purpose in skin care products. Let’s take a look at its benefits.
Benefits Of Adding Methylparaben To Skin Care Products
Methylparaben is not available as a separate ingredient and has no such skin benefits. It is incorporated in products. What about using methylparaben for hair? Does it have any benefits? Let’s find out.
Methylparaben For Hair
Methylparaben may help prevent fungal growth and infections on the scalp. This can be attributed to its antimicrobial properties. While there is limited research in this regard, anecdotal records suggest that methylparaben can help combat scalp dandruff. However, methylparaben may also cause certain side effects. Some believe the compound may lead to hair loss or scalp irritation for individuals with sensitive skin. Along with methylparaben, propylparaben is another compound used in cosmetic products. How are the two different?
Methylparaben And Propylparaben
Propylparaben is also used in cosmetics as a preservative, owing to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. However, it differs from methylparaben primarily in terms of toxicity. Methylparaben is less toxic than propylparaben (3). As we saw, methylparaben may cause adverse effects too. But you may mitigate most of them by using it right. Learn more in the next section.
How To Use Methylparaben And How Often
Methylparaben is used in different concentrations (not more than 0.5%) in all skin care products. You can use them as per the manufacturer’s instructions. It can be used on all skin types except eczema-prone, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. Methylparaben is used in small concentrations in products and considered to be safe. However, there are some side effects you need to be aware of.
Side Effects Of Methylparaben
Parabens are used in low concentrations in skin and personal care products. However, if you want to avoid them completely, you can go for safer alternatives.
Are There Safer Alternatives?
There are many paraben-free products available on the market. These are safer options and don’t affect your health and skin as parabens do. Also, you can check for beauty products with plant-based preservatives. Does methylparaben cause acne? Yes. Methylparaben can mimic estrogen, leading to a hormonal imbalance in the body which may contribute to acne breakouts. Is methylparaben safe for babies? Though methylparaben is found in many baby products, it has not yet been proven safe for babies. Is methylparaben an active ingredient? No, methylparaben is an inactive ingredient used as a preservative in various products. What is another name for methylparaben? Methylparaben may also be referred to as methyl parahydroxybenzoate, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, p-carbo methoxyphenol, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester.
Illustration: How To Use Methylparaben For Skin Benefits & Side Effects
Methylparaben is a preservative used in many cosmetics and personal care products. Learn more about its safety and uses in this informative video, now!
