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POTASSIUM ETHYLPARABEN.

Valuable CAS 36457-19-9 / PRESERVATIVE

Potassium Ethylparaben is a highly water-soluble salt of Ethylparaben, functioning as a critical preservative in skincare formulations. It rigorously protects products from microbial contamination by inhibiting the proliferation of bacteria, molds, and yeasts, thereby ensuring product safety and stability throughout its shelf-life.

Summary

preservative

Science

Mechanism of Action

This ingredient operates by disrupting the cell membrane functions of various microorganisms, including bacteria, mold, and yeast. This targeted action effectively inhibits their growth and proliferation within the product matrix, preventing spoilage and maintaining the stability and safety of the formulation. It also possesses distinct antifungal properties.

Research

Clinical Evidence

High confidence
Effective range 0.1–0.8%
Optimal

0.1%

Key findings

  1. 01 Regulatory bodies such as the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel and the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) have extensively evaluated Ethylparaben and its salts. The CIR concluded that Potassium Ethylparaben is safe when the total concentration of all parabens in a formulation does not exceed 0.8%.
  2. 02 The SCCS specifically permits the use of Ethylparaben (the active moiety) up to 0.4% individually or 0.8% when used in mixtures of esters, highlighting its proven efficacy in microbial control at typically low concentrations, often ranging from 0.1% to 0.3%.

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

Potassium Ethylparaben serves a foundational role as a preservative, ensuring product safety and stability rather than providing direct skin benefits that could be subject to 'dusting' or exaggerated marketing claims. Its efficacy is clearly defined within established concentration ranges.

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH 3 – 6
0 7 14

Stability

Aqueous solutions of ethylparaben demonstrate optimal stability between pH 3 and 6, maintaining integrity for up to approximately four years at room temperature. At pH 8 or above, rapid hydrolysis occurs, with 10% or more decomposition observed after about 60 days. Its antimicrobial activity remains effective across a broader pH range of 3 to 8.

Conflicts

  • Strong oxidizing agents
  • Strong bases

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe with restrictions
Max tested
0.4%
Sensitization risk Low

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has affirmed the safety of Potassium Ethylparaben in cosmetics, provided the total paraben concentration in any given formulation does not exceed 0.8%. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) considers Ethylparaben safe for individual use up to 0.4% or 0.8% in mixtures. Ethylparaben (the parent compound) is also generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in various applications including food, drugs, and cosmetics.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

Yes Normal
Yes Dry
Yes Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy Unknown
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Valuable

Potassium Ethylparaben is a valuable and well-established preservative, essential for maintaining the microbial safety and extended shelf-life of skincare formulations when utilized within defined regulatory concentration limits.

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