Ingredient glossary
Methylparaben
On your shelf ✓What Methylparaben does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Methylparaben
In short: Methylparaben delivers preservation, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant.
- What it does
- Preservation
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
Quiet, essential, and nothing to fear.
Methylparaben keeps a product safe to use from the first pump to the last, at tiny amounts. Not something you pay a premium for.
— Maya
What it does
- preservation
strong evidenceRecent SCCS and CIR reviews reaffirm methylparaben as safe within permitted limits, with very wide margins of safety, despite ongoing public controversy about parabens.
On a label: usually effective at 0.1-0.4%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- all
Approach with care
- paraben sensitive
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: paraben sensitive.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- other parabens
Methylparaben, answered
Is Methylparaben safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Methylparaben is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Methylparaben?
Approach Methylparaben with care if any of these apply to you: paraben sensitive.
What concentration of Methylparaben actually works?
Methylparaben tends to do its job in the 0.1 to 0.4% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
During pregnancy
Treat Methylparaben as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
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