murphyEthylparaben
AKA: ETHYL 4-HYDROXYBENZOATE, 120-47-8, Ethyl paraben, Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, Tegosept E, Mycocten, Ethyl parasept, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester, Aseptoform E
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
OriginEthylparaben is synthesized from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, a compound in the benzoic acid family. It is produced through esterification of p-hydroxybenzoic acid with ethanol using acid catalysts.
Ethylparaben is found in alcoholic beverages. Ethylparaben is an antimicrobial agent, preservative. Ethylparaben is present in red wine, white wine and sake. Ethylparaben 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.
Solubility In water, 8.85X10+2 mg/L at 25 °C
Formula
C9H10O3
Mol. Weight
166.17
CAS #
120-47-8
Form
Powder
State
Almost odourless, small, colourless crystals or a white, crystalline powder
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
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.
Antioxidant
Anti-Inflammatory
Moisturizing
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
3
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
3 studies / 1 irritating / 2 mixed / reactions minimal to slight (CIR 203 and 746)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
6 studies / 2 irritating / 1 mixed / 3 not irritating / reactions minimal to mild (CIR 427 and 746)
Mixed Sensitization Results
6 studies / 1 sensitizing / 5 not sensitizing / plus 6 case reports (CIR 203 and 427 and 746)
Dermal Absorption 0.045–40%
3 lab (in vitro) studies in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 746)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.00000032–0.65%
Rinse-off0.0000008–0.5%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.4%
CIR reported use · 2016 survey
EU regulatory limit: 0.4% (as acid) for a single ester, 0.8% (as acid) for mixtures of esters. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 12.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR