Potassium Ethylparaben
AKA “ethylparaben potassium, UNII-528JBB2994, EINECS 253-048-1, ETHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE POTASSIUM SALT, P-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID ETHYL ESTER POTASSIUM SALT, RefChem:175473”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Potassium ethylparaben
AKA: Ethylparaben potassium, UNII-528JBB2994, EINECS 253-048-1, ETHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE POTASSIUM SALT, P-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID ETHYL ESTER POTASSIUM SALT, RefChem:175473
Synthetic · Antimicrobial · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Preservative
Synthetic
Not Clean
Potassium Ethylparaben is a gentle preservative that keeps your product fresh and safe to use by preventing bacteria and mold growth.
Formula
C9H9KO3
Mol. Weight
204.26
CAS #
36457-19-9
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Preserves Formula
Prevents microbial growth
Traditional Use
The potassium salt form of ethylparaben, a synthetic preservative developed in the early 1900s as an alternative to natural antimicrobial agents. Created to prevent microbial contamination in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe w/Qualifications
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Concentration Guide
8.0%
0%11%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 8.0%. 0,4% (as acid) for single ester 0,8% (as acid) for mixtures of esters Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 12. Dermal absorption: 0.1%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 746).
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR