What it is
The benzyl ester of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, containing an aromatic benzyl group that increases estrogenic potency.
What it does
Historic preservative, now banned in EU cosmetics.
Why it’s a concern
Banned under EU Regulation 358/2014 due to lack of safety data and structural relatedness to more potent endocrine-active parabens. In vitro studies have shown benzylparaben binds estrogen receptors more strongly than shorter-chain parabens.
Also known as
benzyl parabenbenzyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
CAS numbers
94-18-8
Commonly found in
older cosmetics
Safer alternatives
- phenoxyethanol
- sodium benzoate
Related chemical families
Sources
- EU Regulation 358/2014