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SODIUM BUTYLPARABEN.

Questionable CAS 36457-20-2 / PRESERVATIVE

Sodium Butylparaben is a water-soluble preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products to prevent microbial growth. As a salt form of Butylparaben, it effectively extends product shelf-life by inhibiting bacteria and fungi. However, its use is subject to significant regulatory restrictions, particularly concerning products for children.

Summary

Preservative

Science

Mechanism of Action

While the precise mechanism is not fully elucidated, parabens like Sodium Butylparaben are thought to exert their preservative effects by interfering with critical microbial processes. They are proposed to inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis, disrupt enzyme functions such as ATPase and phosphotransferase, and compromise bacterial cell membrane integrity, leading to the leakage of intracellular components.

Research

Clinical Evidence

High confidence
Effective range 0.028–0.197%
Optimal

N/A

Key findings

  1. 01 Concentrations of Butylparaben up to 0.197% were found to pose no risk of skin irritation for consumers in cosmetic products.
  2. 02 A maximum concentration of 0.028% (as acid) of Butylparaben is considered safe for all children's age groups in final products.

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

As a functional preservative, Sodium Butylparaben is incorporated at concentrations necessary for microbial inhibition and is regulated by strict safety guidelines, rather than being 'dusted' at sub-efficacious levels for marketing claims. Its inclusion is driven by preservation needs within defined safety limits.

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH N/A
0 7 14

Stability

Sodium Butylparaben, as a sodium salt of a paraben, is water-soluble. While parabens as a group are generally stable across a wide pH range and resistant to hydrolysis, sodium salts like Sodium Butylparaben are often considered less stable than their ester counterparts.

Conflicts

  • strong oxidizing agents
  • strong caustics/bases

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe with restrictions
Max tested
0.197%
Sensitization risk Moderate

The CIR Expert Panel deems parabens, including Sodium Butylparaben, safe in cosmetics when the total combined concentration does not exceed 0.8%. However, the SCCS imposes stricter limitations for Butylparaben, particularly for children's products. For instance, a concentration of 0.14% (as acid) of Butylparaben in combination is considered unsafe for children aged 0.5-10 years in all cosmetic products, with a maximum safe concentration of 0.028% (as acid) for all children's age groups in final products. Use in leave-on products for children is severely restricted to 0.002% (as acid). Higher concentrations (above 1%) may lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially in individuals with sensitive skin. The US FDA recognizes Butylparaben as generally safe (GRAS) for food preservation up to 0.1%.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

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

Our Assessment

Verdict

Questionable

While an effective preservative with established concentration limits for general use, Sodium Butylparaben's significant restrictions and safety concerns, particularly for children, lead to a questionable verdict for precision skincare formulations.

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