Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in consumer products due to their low allergenic potential. [1]. Some of these parabens, however, are now known to interfere with the endocrine system in humans. In addition, parabens can be absorbed through the skin, which is considered particularly critical for products that are either applied directly to the skin or are otherwise in increased contact with the skin. [2]. Such hormone-modifying substances, also known as “endocrine disruptors,” have become frequent objects of media attention in recent years. In addition to the media, parabens have also attracted attention at a political level: Currently, substances with endocrine disrupting properties have moved into the focus of the European regulatory authorities. [3] [4] 

Consequently, according to European regulations, cosmetics may only contain a certain level of selected parabens in order to be approved for the European market. Due to their endocrine-disrupting properties, the use of some specific parabens (isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, pentylparaben, benzylparaben and phenylparaben) as preservatives in cosmetics is now banned in the EU. [3]

Due to the uncertainty about the use or potential residues of parabens in cosmetics, many manufacturers have started to advertise their products as “paraben-free”.

In general, it can be assumed that substances with an endocrine potential should be reduced to a technically unavoidable level in consumer products. Depending on the exposure risk for the consumer, this would be equivalent to a ban on their use.

For this reason, GALAB is now offering a new in-house method for the detection of the following parabens by LC-MS/MS with a reporting limit of 0.1 mg/kg in consumer products such as cosmetics, hygiene products and their raw materials: