Parabens in Lip Products: Why They Are Unnecessary
Everything you need to know about this ingredient in lip care.
Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben) are synthetic preservatives used in thousands of cosmetic products to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. They are cheap, effective, and have been used since the 1950s. However, growing research has raised concerns about their potential as endocrine disruptors — chemicals that can interfere with hormone function in the body. While the debate continues in scientific circles, many consumers and clean beauty advocates prefer to avoid parabens entirely, especially in products applied to the lips where incidental ingestion is common.
Scientific Backing
Research published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology detected intact parabens in human breast tissue samples, raising questions about accumulation. The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has restricted certain parabens in cosmetics. Studies in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology have demonstrated that some parabens exhibit weak estrogenic activity in laboratory settings. While the FDA currently considers parabens safe at low concentrations, the European Union has banned five specific parabens from cosmetics entirely.
How Numbrrrz Uses Parabens in Lip Products: Why They Are Unnecessary
Numbrrrz contains zero parabens or synthetic preservatives. We use vitamin E (tocopherol) as a natural antioxidant that preserves the freshness of our coconut and jojoba oils without any synthetic chemicals. Our simple four-ingredient formula does not require complex preservation systems because there are no water-based ingredients where bacteria could grow — a benefit of our oil and wax-based formulation.