murphyButylparaben
AKA: Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, 94-26-8, Butyl paraben, Butyl p-hydroxybenzoate, Butoben, Nipabutyl, Butyl chemosept, Butyl parasept, Tegosept B
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
OriginDerived from para-hydroxybenzoic acid, a compound synthesized from petroleum-based or plant-derived starting materials. Produced through esterification of para-hydroxybenzoic acid with butanol under catalytic conditions.
Butylparaben is a preservative and flavouring agent. Butylparaben has been shown to exhibit anti-microbial function Butylparaben belongs to the family of Hydroxybenzoic Acid Derivatives. These are compounds containing an hydroxybenzoic acid (or a derivative), which is a benzene ring bearing a carboxylic acid. (A3205).
Formula
C11H14O3
Mol. Weight
194.23
CAS #
94-26-8
Skin Types
●Good for
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Prevents microbial growth
Provides scent
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
9
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
—
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 746)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
1 study / 1 mixed / reactions minimal to slight (CIR 746)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
6 studies / 3 irritating / 2 mixed / 1 not irritating / reactions weak to moderate (CIR 203 and 427 and 746)
Mixed Sensitization Results
6 studies / 2 sensitizing / 4 not sensitizing / plus 4 case reports (CIR 427 and 746)
Dermal Absorption 0.003–52%
7 results from animal / human / in vitro tests in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 427 and 746)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.00000006–0.5%
Rinse-off0.0000004–0.33%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.14%
CIR reported use · 2016 survey
EU/SCCS limit: 0.14% in oral, children. Opinion: SCCS/1674/25
Regulatory Agencies
🧂Conflict of interest.
Verified Jun 2026 · 🧪 = conflict
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR