For your question context here is an interesting review about "Cosmetics Preservation":

Halla N, Fernandes IP, Heleno SA, Costa P, Boucherit-Otmani Z, Boucherit K, et al. Cosmetics Preservation: A Review on Present Strategies. Molecules 2018;23(7):E1571. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6099538/pdf/molecules-23-01571.pdf

No, parabens are considered the cause of cancer, disrupt hormone, and other diseases.

Article Parabens: A Review of Epidemiology, Structure, Allergenicity...

Thank you Maham Muzamil Mehdi Mohammadian

Good question Nihada Ahmetovic

90 % of typical grocery items contain parabens but parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity.

CSC cites a 2004 British study that detected traces of 5 parabens in the breast tumors of 19 out of 20 women studied.

Better to avoid

Thank you dr Prabhjot Kaur dr Samy Selim dr Hamid Reza Samadifard

Parabens may disturb hormonal fuctions

Parabens... made a monster out of it. Parabens are preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. They are like other chemicals and have side effects such as alergic reactions. And the most serious is estrogenic activity, which can increase the risk of any estrogen-mediated endpoint, including effects on the male reproductive tract or breast cancer.

Thank you dr Rusudan Labadze

Nowak K, Ratajczak-Wrona W, Górska M, Jabłońska E. Parabens and their effects on the endocrine system. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018;474:238-251. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0303720718301060?via%3Dihub

Kolatorova L, Duskova M, Vitku J, Starka L. Prenatal exposure to bisphenols and parabens and impacts on human physiology. Physiol Res 2017;66(Supplementum 3):S305-S315. http://www.biomed.cas.cz/physiolres/pdf/66/66_S305.pdf

For your question context here is an interesting review about "Cosmetics Preservation":

Halla N, Fernandes IP, Heleno SA, Costa P, Boucherit-Otmani Z, Boucherit K, et al. Cosmetics Preservation: A Review on Present Strategies. Molecules 2018;23(7):E1571. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6099538/pdf/molecules-23-01571.pdf

What are parabens?

Parabens are a group of preservative ingredients used in cosmetic, personal hygiene products, food products and pharmaceuticals to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause products to spoil. The most commonly used parabens to extend the shelf life of products include include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and heptylparaben. Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts.

Is it safe to use parabens?

Debates about the safety of parabens are still ongoing. There are many scientific studies pointing out potential dangers of parabens on human health. Parabens have been reported to cause contact dermatitis reactions in some individuals on cutaneous exposure. They have been implicated in numerous cases of contact sensitivity related to cutaneous exposure and endocrine disruption. Parabens have also been detected in human tissues and bodily fluids, but their discovery in the breast tissue of patients with breast cancer has raised public concern over use of these chemicals. It is hypothesized that the estrogenic properties of parabens may play a role in the development of breast cancer.

Experiment Findings Safety and Toxicity Assessment of Parabens in Pharmaceutical...

Article PARABENS PARADOXES IN COSMETIC FORMULATIONS: A REVIEW

Article Parabens toxicity to skin and other organs

Article A Review of the Endocrine Activity of Parabens and Implicati...

Article The Health Controversies of Parabens.

Thank you dr Arvind Singh

EFSA advises on the safety of paraben usage in food:

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/040929

Thank you dr @Martin Hofmeister

Parabens are a class of widely used preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Chemically, they are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid (also known as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid). Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They are found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, suntan products, makeup,[1] and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben

Thank you dr Nabeel Hameed Al-Saati

Following answers.

Parabens are parahydroxybenzoates. Studies have shown that some parabens can mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen in the body's cells, and whileestrogenic activity is associated with certain forms of breast cancer, parabens have been found present in breast tumors.

REF: stylecaster.com/beauty/parabens-sulfates-dangers/

Parabens are the group of synthetic compounds that are used as preservative ingredients in cosmetics, personal hygiene products, food products and pharmaceuticals.

There is a debate going on regarding the toxic or harmful effects of the products on human health containing parabens in different forms like methyparaben, propylparaben etc. Whatever may be the conclusion, we should try to use products which are devoid of parabens in any forms.

Dear Nihada:

Here are some of findings based on an internal review recently completed:

All life forms, but especially humans, are subject to high exposure to parabens, which are the alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, because of their widespread use as antimicrobial agents for preservation of foods (due to their bactericidal and fungicidal properties), pharmaceuticals, PCPs, and paper goods. The main paraben esters in common use are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and benzylparaben, and we know that intact paraben esters are measurable in human tissues including urine, blood, milk, and breast tissue.

SAFETY CONCERNS

Parabens have been shown to possess estrogenic and androgenic activity in studies in vitro and in vivo and their a role in breast cancer development is of increasing concern [Darbre 2014].

The reasons for this concern are that parabens have been measured as present in 99% of human breast tissue samples, possess estrogenic activity and can stimulate sustained proliferation of human breast cancer cells at concentrations measurable in the breast, can inhibit the suppression of breast cancer cell growth by hydroxytamoxifen, a metabolite of the very widely used anticancer agent Tamoxifen, can elicit a dose‐dependent evasion of apoptosis, with long‐term exposure (>5 months) to parabens leading to increased migratory and invasive activity that are part of the metastatic cascade in human breast cancer cells [Gopalakrishan 2017]. In addition, parabens have been shown to possess obesogenic activity [Darbre 2017].

A further concern is that in breast cancer HER2 overexpression enhances the potency of parabens via induction of oncogene expression and breast cancer cell proliferation, but that demonstrates that far lower doses of parabens are required to induce breast cancer than previously thought, and that previous studies are likely to have strongly underestimated their proliferative effects [Pan 2016].

THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

In the European Union the use of parabens in cosmetics is regulated by the European Regulation on Cosmetic Products, and the European Union has recently placed some restrictions on the parabens allowed in cosmetic formulations, specifically to prohibit the use of isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, phenylparaben, benzylparaben, and pentylparaben in cosmetics, also lowering the maximum concentration allowed for propylparaben and butylparaben, and prohibiting their use in products for children.

CAUTION: But we must remember that parabens can be detected in air, dust, soil, and water, so regulatory restrictions in cosmetics alone is insufficient to wholly affect human exposure.

CLINICAL LESSONS

Although for a long time, parabens were viewed as having very low toxicity with an excellent safety record, the recent concerns cited, especially as to their endocrine-disrupting activity both in vitro and in vivo requires a reassessment of their long-term safety given the massive exposure levels involved, and we need more environmental, personal, and oncologic safety research to assure that benefits outweigh potential harms.

Constantine Kaniklidis

Director, Medical Research, No Surrender Breast Cancer Foundation (NSBCF)

Oncology Reviewer, Current Oncology

Member, European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)

Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO)

International Cardioncology Society, North America (ICOSNA)

REFERENCES

[Darbre 2014] Darbre PD, Harvey PW. Parabens can enable hallmarks and characteristics of cancer in human breast epithelial cells: a review of the literature with reference to new exposure data and regulatory status. J Appl Toxicol. 2014;34:925–938.

[Darbre 2017] Darbre P. Endocrine disruptors and obesity. Curr Obes Rep. 2017;6:18–27.

[Gopalakrishan 2017] Gopalakrishan K, Teitelbaum SL, Lambertini L, et al. Changes in mammary histology and transcriptome profiles by low-dose exposure to environmental phenols at critical periods of development. Environment Researcher 2017; 152: 232–243.

[Pan 2016] Pan S, Yuan C, Tagmount A, et al. Parabens and human epidermal growth factor receptor ligand cross-talk in breast cancer cells. Environment Health Perspectives 2016; 124(5):563–569.

Thank you dr Constantine Kaniklidis!

Thanky you dr Sandhyarani Khomdram

hope this link is useful

https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/productsingredients/ingredients/ucm128042.htm

regards

Thank you dr Hassan Nima

No, it isn't

Of greatest concern is that parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity,” reports the non-profit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC). “Parabens mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors on cells.”

Thank you dr Nirmala S.V.S.G

Parabens are a group of preservative ingredients used in cosmetic, personal hygiene products, food products and pharmaceuticals. They are highly effective in preventing the growth of fungi, bacteria and yeast that can cause products to spoil. Thus, they contribute directly to the quality of the products by extending their shelf life, making them safe for the families who use them.

What are parabens?

Parabens are derived from para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, cherries, carrots, blueberries and onions. PHBA also is naturally formed in the human body by the breakdown of some amino acids. Parabens used in cosmetics are identical to those found in nature, and the human body quickly changes them into natural PHBA and eliminates them.

Uses & Benefits

Parabens have been safely used for almost 100 years as preservatives in the food, drug and personal care and cosmetic industries.

Parabens (including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isopropylparaben, and isobutylparaben) may be used in products such as makeup, moisturizers, and hair care and shaving products. Contrary to some reports, most major brands of deodorants and antiperspirants no longer contain parabens.

• Preservatives like parabens may be used in cosmetics to protect against microbial (e.g., bacteria, fungus) growth, both to protect consumers and to maintain product integrity.
• In the food industry, parabens have been used for more than 50 years as preservatives and anti-microbial agents. Some fruits, such as blueberries, contain parabens as a naturally occurring preservative. Parabens are widely used in confectioneries, cereal-based snacks, dried meats, and much more.
• Typical food products which contain parabens for preservation, include beer, sauces, desserts, soft drinks, jams, pickles, frozen dairy products, processed vegetables and flavoring syrups. Some fruits, such as blueberries, contain parabens as a naturally occurring preservative

Thanks Constantine Sir for sharing recent safety concerns of Parabens.

Is there any better alternative to parabens?

Aniket:

After extensive basic and clinical scientific research, no single agent has ever been shown to meet the requirements of a broad-spectrum preservative. But there are highly effective and safe combinations that can easily and affordably serve this purpose.

First, the most attractive components of a combination preservative (aka, a "preservative complex") are ORGANIC ACIDS - here I would rank high on the list SORBIC ACID (a mountain ash berry derivative). But sorbic acid only kills fungi, not bacteria, so it must be combined with other preservatives.

One such partner candidate is PHENOXYETHANOL, a glycol ether (a synthetic preservative component of green tea and chicory) with powerful antimicrobial activities against yeast, bacterial organisms and molds. and although some have argued it can be an irritant to skin, eyes and lungs, that's true only as a stand-alone ingredient (i.e., in a concentration of 100%), but in cosmetics, and other applications, only a concentration of 1% is required (as in several lines from Clinique, Mary Kay, Nerium, The Sensitive Skin Care Co., Charlie Renee, Bay Berry Bliss, and many others, that unique combination known as widely as "OPTIPHEN PLUS" (Ashland)).

BOTTOM LINE: That combination of an organic acid (sorbic acid) plus a glycol ether (phenoxyethanol) delivers highly safe and effective preservative protection against the full microbial spectrum of bacteria, yeast, fungi and molds.

Constantine Kaniklidis

Director, Medical Research, No Surrender Breast Cancer Foundation (NSBCF)

Oncology Reviewer, Current Oncology

Member, European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)

Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO)

International Cardioncology Society, North America (ICOSNA)

Thank you @Aniket Mali @ Constantine Kaniklidis

Thanks Nihada Mam & Constantine Sir

The Health Controversies of Parabens

https://www.grimalt.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/parabens-2013.pdf

Very interesting dr Yousif Yakoub Hilal

But I am very much doubtful

about the carcinogenic properties of methyl paraben .

Please understand, tho Constantine is correct that cosmetic preservation is commonly accomplished with a combination of materials (no single preservative or single combination of preservatives will work in all products), apparently is limited re. practical knowledge of preservative application. Commercial sorbic acid is NOT a "derivative of mountain berry" - as a commercial material - it synthetic - condensation of malonic acid and trans-butenal. It can also be prepared from isomeric hexadienoic acid, which are available via a nickel-catalyzed reaction of allyl chloride, acetylene, and carbon monoxide. It is RARELY used in cosmetics as it has a limited pH spectrum of efficacy and is often unstable in formulation.

Phenoxyethanol is an effective preservative esp. vs. Gram negative bacteria and somewhat less so vs Gram positive bacteria. It is poor vs fungi. 1% is greater than typical application (.5-.7%). It is less commonly used in high water. surfactant-based products in which isothiazolines are commonly employed vs Gram negative bacteria. It's reported presence/alleged role in green tea is irrelevant as it's also a synthetic material.

Phenoxyethanol with an organic acid and EDTA is a fairly common combination for leave-on, emulsion-based products - with Benzoic acid (as the Sodium salt) rather than sorbic as the organic acid.

If one were to examine commercial products, one would see a great diversity of preservative combinations - driven by efficacy/stability in and across formulas, corp policy and claims, etc.