Abstract:
Objectives To investigate the application of 4-hydroxybenzoic esters in cosmetics as preservatives.
Methods Main ingredients of 710 cosmetics tested from 2009 to 2010 was collected and the usage of 4-hydroxybenzoic esters in cosmetics was analyzed.
Results The rates of methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben used in cosmetics were 66.0%, 39.1%, 17.4% and 15.0%, and the concentrations of them were 0.4%, 0.4%, 0.35% and 0.25%, respectively.The rates for methylparaben + propylparaben, methylparaben + propylparaben + ethylparaben + butylparaben, methylparaben + propylparaben + butylparaben, and methylparaben were 29.3%, 21.2%, 7.8% and 5.9% respectively.
Conclusions The most common used 4-hydroxybenzoic ester is methylparaben with a rate of 66% and in a concentration of 0.4%.The combining use of methylparaben + propylparaben was common, with a rate of 29.3%.