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Methylparaben — Skincare Ingredient

Common Irritant

Methylparaben

Prevents bacterial and fungal growth

Also known as: Paraben

Common Irritant
Icky
Common irritant — avoid if you have sensitive, reactive, or compromised skin.
✓ Pregnancy Safe ✓ Vegan ✓ Cruelty-Free ✓ Reef-Safe
01

What is Methylparaben?

Methyl ester of para-hydroxybenzoic acid — the most-used paraben preservative.

02

What Methylparaben Does

  • Prevents bacterial and fungal growth
  • Effective at <0.4%
03

Skin Type Compatibility

How well Methylparaben works for each skin type:

Dry Skin
Poor (1/5)
Oily Skin
Good (3/5)
Combination
Limited (2/5)
Sensitive
Poor (1/5)
Acne-Prone
Limited (2/5)
Mature
Poor (1/5)
04

How to Use Methylparaben

Methyl/ethylparaben have weakest endocrine activity. Many users choose paraben-free for caution. EU/US still allow up to 0.4%.
07

Methylparaben in Our Catalog

Found in
7 052
products containing Methylparaben — mostly in serum, moisturizer.
Top brands using it
  • La Roche-Posay145
  • Neutrogena121
  • COSRX79
  • innisfree77
  • Paula's Choice70
08

Browse Products with Methylparaben

09

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Methylparaben?

Methyl ester of para-hydroxybenzoic acid — the most-used paraben preservative.

What does Methylparaben do for skin?

Prevents bacterial and fungal growth Effective at <0.4%

Is Methylparaben safe during pregnancy?

Yes — Methylparaben is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As always, consult your doctor about your specific routine.

What skin types is Methylparaben good for?

Methylparaben works well for Avoid if you prefer paraben-free skincare.

How do I use Methylparaben?

Methyl/ethylparaben have weakest endocrine activity. Many users choose paraben-free for caution. EU/US still allow up to 0.4%.

What is the comedogenic rating of Methylparaben?

Methylparaben has a comedogenic rating of 0/5 — non-comedogenic, safe for acne-prone skin.

What is the irritation potential of Methylparaben?

Methylparaben has an irritation risk score of 1/5 — low, usually well-tolerated.

10

Related Ingredients

Often used together with or similar to Methylparaben:

Last updated: 2026-05-25 Reviewed by: Skincarisma Editorial Team
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