The sodium salt of ethylparaben, a synthetic preservative regulated in Annex V.
What it is
Sodium ethylparaben is the sodium salt of ethylparaben, the ethyl ester of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, belonging to the paraben group. CosIng lists it as a preservative. In the EU it is listed in Annex V (allowed preservatives).
Where it is used
Found in a small number of cosmetic products that need preservation.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits, which are expressed as the acid and differ for a single paraben and for mixtures. The label does not show the concentration actually used.
Functions
- Preservative
- Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
EU regulation
EU · Annex V, entry 124-Hydroxybenzoic acid and its Methyl- and Ethyl-esters, and their salts
- Maximum concentration
- 0,4% (as acid) for single ester 0,8% (as acid) for mixtures of esters
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2014/1004