The sodium salt of methylparaben, a preservative.
What it is
Sodium methylparaben is the sodium salt of methylparaben (methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate). CosIng lists it as a preservative. In the EU it is listed in Annex V (allowed preservatives), with limits expressed as the acid.
Where it is used
Found in creams, lotions, cleansers and makeup, often together with other parabens.
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. 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
Products with this ingredient (64)
- Colour X-pert linka na oči · Max Factor
- EYELINER COLOUR X-PERT · Max Factor
- Curl Soufflé · Schwarzkopf Professional
- OSiS Curl Soufflé 200 ml · Schwarzkopf Professional
- IGORA VIBRANCE Klarton 0-00 60 ml · Schwarzkopf Professional
- Seslash Lash and Eyebrow Serum · Sesderma
- Nawilżające mydło do rąk i pod prysznic, wanilia i kokos · Vis Plantis
- Nawilżające mydło do rąk i pod prysznic, lotos i jaśmin · Vis Plantis
- Splat Fresh Plus Diş Macunu · Splat
- Splat Recovery Plus Bioaktif Diş Macunu · Splat
- Gliss Conditioner total repair · Gliss
- Splat Ultra Complex Diş Macunu 100 ml · Splat