Methylparabens are a type of chemical that manufacturers often use as a preservative. People can add them to food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals to increase shelf life and avoid bacterial and fungal growth.

Methylparabens belong to a group of chemicals known as parabens. These are preservative ingredients that people have used for almost 100 years to prevent the growth of fungi, bacteria, and yeast, which could cause products to spoil.

Manufacturers often include parabens in cosmetics, personal hygiene products, food, and pharmaceutical products. FourTrusted Source common types of parabens include:

  • methylparaben
  • propylparaben
  • ethylparaben
  • butylparaben

Methylparabens occur naturally in several fruits, including blueberries. However, manufacturers often produce the compound artificially by combining a type of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and methanol. They can then use the methylparabens as preservatives to extend the shelf life of products.

In this article, we will discuss methylparaben, including why manufacturers use it, what products it is found in, and potential safety concerns.

A person looking at product labels and ingredient lists in a supermarket.Share on Pinterest
Tom Werner/Getty Images

Methylparaben is a preservative with the chemical formula C8H8O3. Manufacturers use preservatives, such as methylparaben, to prevent the growth of pathogens and stop undesirable chemical changes from occurring. Thus, these chemicals can protectTrusted Source both the product and the consumer.

However, there is some controversy over whether methylparabens are safe. While current evidence suggests they are, more research is neededTrusted Source to determine how this chemical may affect human health.

Methylparabens have several functions, most of which involve preserving products. These include uses as:

  • antimicrobial food preservatives
  • antifungal agents
  • neuroprotective agents
  • plant metabolites
  • allergenic testing agents

The most common use of methylparaben is as an antimicrobial preservative in cosmetic products.

There are many products that may contain methylparabens. Examples includeTrusted Source:

  • makeup
  • hair styling products
  • shaving cream
  • moisturizers
  • food
  • drugs

A product’s packaging will usually state whether it contains methylparaben or other parabens.

Currently, there is inconclusive evidence on the safety of methylparabens. While there is little evidence to suggest that methylparabens have negative health implications, there is also little evidence to suggest that they are safe. The main warnings for methylparabens involve high concentrations of the chemical and note the risk of:

  • skin irritation or corrosion
  • eye irritation or damage
  • environmental effects, as methylparabens can cause lasting damage to aquatic life

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source does not currently regulate methylparabens, as it treats them and other typical ingredients of cosmetics similarly. This means that methylparabens do not require any special approval before going out to consumers.

However, the law requiresTrusted Source producers to display whether a product contains methylparabens on the packaging, so consumers can decide if they wish to avoid them.

While research is ongoing, a potential concern regarding methylparaben is its possible role as an endocrine disruptor. This term refers to a substance that may alter the function of hormones and negatively affect human health. Parabens can enter the body through skin absorption, ingestion, and inhalation and may mimic the effect of estrogen. As such, this chemical may harm fertility and increase the risk of cancer.

A 2022 reportTrusted Source suggests that methylparabens may indirectly lead to breast cancer. The report acknowledges that more research is necessary. Still, it highlights many links, including the effects of methylparabens on hormones and the presence of intact parabens in the tissues of human breast tumors.

There is evidence to indicate that estrogen plays a roleTrusted Source in breast cancer development. Therefore, the suspected influence of methylparabens on the growth of breast cancer tissue is likely due to how it may mimic high estrogen levels.

Another consideration for methylparabens is their connection with skin irritation and allergies. A 2019 cross-sectional studyTrusted Source found a link between parabens and allergic diseases in participants in the United States, Norway, and Japan. This includes allergic sensitization and allergic rhinitis.

While more research is necessary to investigate the potential effects of methylparabens on the human body, the FDA has not yetTrusted Source identified methylparabens as being hazardous to human health.

Methylparabens are present in many products, but it is possible to go methylparaben-free. Manufacturers can use alternative ingredients to prevent microbial growth in personal care products. Some companies may also produce preservative-free products that have a shorter shelf life.

Manufacturers in the U.S. have a legal obligation to include methylparabens on the list of product ingredients if they are present. If a person wishes to avoid the chemical, they can check the packaging before purchasing a product. Additionally, people can also look for products with a paraben-free label.

Methylparabens are a common type of paraben. These are a group of chemical compounds that manufacturers frequently use in products as preservatives. They can increase the shelf life of products by inhibiting the growth of pathogens that may spoil them. While parabens can occur naturally, manufacturers often produce synthetic versions to include in their products.

Although more research is necessary, there is some evidence to suggest that the chemical may have a negative effect on human health. Namely, the chemical may play a role in the development of breast cancer. However, more research is necessary to make any strong conclusions.

Currently, health experts consider products containing methylparabens to be safe to use, and the FDA does not regulate methylparabens, as there is not enough evidence to suggest that they cause harm.

However, if people want to avoid the chemical, they can use alternative products. They can also check the ingredients list and look for labels stating whether the product is paraben-free.