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Ethylparaben

What Ethylparaben is & what it does

A gentle, effective preservative in the paraben family that guards against microbial growth. It is well tolerated at the low levels used in cosmetics.

What is Ethylparaben and what does it do in sunscreen?

Ethylparaben is a preservative from the paraben family. In sunscreen it guards the product against bacteria, yeast, and mold, which keeps the formula safe and stable over its shelf life and through repeated use. It is effective at very low concentrations, so only a small amount is needed. Preservatives like this are essential in any water-containing product to prevent contamination.

Is Ethylparaben safe?

Yes. Ethylparaben is one of the better-studied preservatives and is permitted in cosmetics in the EU, with the shorter parabens like methylparaben and ethylparaben regarded as the safest of the group. It is used at low levels and is well tolerated by most people. Decades of use and regulatory review support its safety in the amounts used in skincare.

Does Ethylparaben clog pores?

Generally no. Ethylparaben is a water-loving preservative used in tiny amounts, not an oil or wax, so it is not associated with clogging pores. It is not flagged as comedogenic. If you are breaking out, the richer emollients in a formula are a far more likely cause than a trace-level preservative.

Are parabens like Ethylparaben bad for you?

The short-chain parabens, including Ethylparaben, are considered safe as used in cosmetics by regulators in the EU and elsewhere. Much of the public concern came from older studies on different, longer-chain parabens or very high doses that do not reflect how they are actually used. At the low levels in sunscreen, Ethylparaben is well tolerated and effective at keeping the product free of microbes.

What else is Ethylparaben called?

Ethylparaben is the INCI name on the label, and it may also appear as ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, its chemical name. As a food-grade preservative it carries the E-number E214. It usually sits near the end of an ingredient list, alongside the other preservatives.

Sunscreens with Ethylparaben

We rate 249 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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