Parabens are a group of chemicals that are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold, in order to protect both the products and consumers. They are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid. Common parabens include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and heptylparaben. Parabens are found in a wide variety of cosmetics, such as makeup, moisturizers, hair care products, and shaving products, among others. They are also used as food preservatives.

Parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the normal function of hormone systems affecting male and female reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility, and birth outcomes. They can also interfere with the production of hormones. The U.N. Environment Programme has identified parabens as a group, including propyl- and butylparaben, as endocrine-disrupting chemicals or potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Parabens are also linked to ecological harm, as low levels of butylparaben can kill coral, according to laboratory tests.

The biggest concern with parabens is that some studies show that they disrupt hormones in the body. Once in the body, parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in both males and females, which could have an effect on things like fertility, reproductive development, and fetal development. However, the FDA allows single or multiple parabens to be added to food or food packaging as antimicrobials to prevent food spoilage, and at this time, the FDA does not have information showing that parabens as they are used in cosmetics have an effect on human health.

In conclusion, parabens are a group of chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. They are found in a wide variety of cosmetics and are also used as food preservatives. Parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the normal function of hormone systems affecting male and female reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility, and birth outcomes. However, the FDA does not have information showing that parabens as they are used in cosmetics have an effect on human health.