According to an analysis by the RIVM, the use of multiple cosmetic products containing one of the four parabens still authorised in Europe does not represent a health risk… at least for three of them. For the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, the question remains still unclear for Butylparaben as well as for combined exposure to several parabens.
Parabens are chemical substances used to extend the shelf life of products, the RIVM reminds.
In Europe, four of them are authorised in cosmetic products: Methyl-, Ethyl-, Propyl- and Butylparaben.
Using multiple products containing the same paraben
It is known that parabens can have a harmful potential to health. However, according to the RIVM, the level of parabens in individual products is too low to be harmful to health. A recent study shows that the simultaneous use of several products containing the same type of paraben is also safe for humans. The overall exposure to each paraben was found to be lower than that which represents a health hazard. But the study could not extend this conclusion to Butylparaben. This is because Butylparaben can be harmful at much lower levels of exposure.
The RIVM adds that it is also not known what the health risks are of using several products containing different types of parabens.
Possible endocrine disrupting effects
According to the RIVM, Butylparaben is known to be an endocrine disruptor, but it is not yet known whether this is also the case for other parabens.
Researchers in Europe are currently investigating this issue, in particular to determine whether a …
