Potassium Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
AKA “Potassium Butylparaben, BUTYLPARABEN, POTASSIUM SALT, P-HYDROXYBENZOATE POTASSIUM SALT, BENZOIC ACID, BUTYL ESTER”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Potassium butyl ester of pvm/ma copolymer
AKA: Potassium Butylparaben, BUTYLPARABEN, POTASSIUM SALT, P-HYDROXYBENZOATE POTASSIUM SALT, BENZOIC ACID
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Occlusive
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
Potassium salt of butyl ester of PVM/MA copolymer Science: Functions: Binding, Film Forming Safety Ratings: CIR: Safe as used
Formula
C11H13KO3
Mol. Weight
232.32
CAS #
38566-94-8
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Binding
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Moisturising
Holds Formula Together
Creates Protective Barrier
Creates protective layer
Holds ingredients together
Traditional Use
A synthetic polymer developed in the late 20th century for cosmetic use. Created as a film-forming and conditioning agent with no traditional predecessor.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Insufficient
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Concentration Guide
0.062%
14.0%
0%20%
Industry Max
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 14.0%. - 0,14% (as acid) for the sum of the individual concentrations - 0,8% (as acid) for mixtures of substances mentioned in entry 12 and 12a, here the sum of the individual concentrations of butyl and propylparaben and their salts does not exceed 0,14%. For leave -on products designed for children under three years of age: Do not use on the nappy area Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 12 bis. Dermal absorption: 0.1%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 746).
Regulatory Agencies
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, and Benz
International journal of toxicology, 2008
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, and Benz
International journal of toxicology, 2008
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, and Benz
International journal of toxicology, 2008
Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Amended Report on the Safety Assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben and Benzylparaben as used in cosmetic products
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer and Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isobutylparaben and Isopropylparaben
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, and Butylparaben
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid rescues multisystemic disease and perinatal lethality in a mouse model of mitochondrial disease.
Corral-Sarasa J, Martínez-Gálvez JM, González-García P, Wendling O, Jiménez-Sánchez L et al.
Cell reports, 2024
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Butylparaben
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isobutylparaben
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Butylparaben
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Butylparaben
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Isobutylparaben
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Benzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Butylparaben
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isobutylparaben
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
High-dose exposure to butylparaben impairs thyroid ultrastructure and function in rats.
Jiang QL, Li S, Zeng Y, Zhang BT, Cao Y et al.
Scientific reports, 2024
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Combined effect of silver nanoparticles and aluminium chloride, butylparaben or diethylphthalate on the malignancy of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells a
Roszak J, Smok-Pieniążek A, Jeżak K, Domeradzka-Gajda K, Grobelny J et al.
Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2020
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR