Parabens: Contact (Non)Allergen of the Year.

Parabens have been widely used as preservatives in the cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries for more than 70 years. Monitoring for paraben allergy closely followed with studies reporting paraben testing in standard screening fashion as early as 1940. The frequency of sensitivity to this widely used biocide has remained low and remarkably stable for many decades despite extensive use and progressive expansion of utilization worldwide. The authors select paraben mix as the (non)allergen of the year. Paraben reactions are quite uncommon and generally relevant. Parabens remain one of the least allergenic preservatives available. The unsubstantiated public perception of paraben safety has led to its replacement in many products with preservatives having far greater allergenic potential. This report reviews the well-established safety of parabens from an allergologic standpoint.