What is Parabens?

Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) are one of the oldest preservative families in cosmetics. 'Clean beauty' marketing framed them as endocrine disruptors based on a 2004 breast-cancer tissue study that didn't establish causation. Regulatory review (EU, FDA) has found short-chain parabens (methyl, ethyl) safe at regulated concentrations; some longer-chain forms (isopropyl, isobutyl, phenyl) are restricted. The preservatives that replaced parabens (MIT) often caused more contact dermatitis. Mostly a marketing-driven controversy with modest scientific substance.