Isopropylparaben is a paraben-family cosmetic ingredient associated primarily with preservative applications in cosmetic and personal care formulations. It is chemically known as Isopropyl 4-Hydroxybenzoate, with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₂O₃ and molecular weight 180.20 g/mol. Its CAS Number is 4191-73-5 and EC Number is 224-069-3.
Isopropylparaben is an ester of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Chemical and cosmetic ingredient databases identify its functional use as a preservative.
Isopropylparaben is the isopropyl ester of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and belongs to the group of compounds commonly known as parabens.
It may also be identified by the following names:
PubChem records the IUPAC name as propan-2-yl 4-hydroxybenzoate and confirms its chemical identity and CAS number.
Isopropylparaben is associated with the preservative function in cosmetic ingredient references. The EU's historical cosmetic ingredient inventory specifically lists ISOPROPYLPARABEN, CAS 4191-73-5, with the function preservative.
Preservatives are used in appropriate cosmetic formulations to help control microbial growth and maintain microbiological quality during the intended shelf life and use of the finished product.
The performance of any preservative depends on the complete formulation rather than the raw material alone. Factors that can influence preservation include:
Isopropylparaben may be considered for selected cosmetic and personal care preservation systems, subject to the formulation and regulatory requirements applicable to the finished product.
Potential formulation areas include:
The appropriate use level should be established through formulation development, microbiological testing and assessment against the applicable regulatory requirements.
Isopropylparaben should be evaluated as one component of the complete preservation system.
Formulators should assess compatibility with:
The finished formulation should undergo appropriate preservation and stability evaluation.
The solubility characteristics of Isopropylparaben should be considered when developing the manufacturing process. Because paraben esters generally have limited water solubility, the selected incorporation method and formulation environment should be evaluated before scale-up.
For the SDP CMS specification, the solubility entry should preferably be based on the actual commercial material's specification rather than an unverified generic numerical value.
The pH of the finished formulation is an important factor in preservation-system development. The final product should be evaluated at its intended pH and under appropriate storage conditions.
The manufacturing procedure should provide adequate distribution of the ingredient throughout the formulation.
Relevant process considerations may include:
Compatibility should be assessed with the complete formulation and packaging system before commercial production.
Key identity information includes:
These chemical identity details are documented by PubChem.
For commercial Isopropylparaben Cosmetic Ingredient supply, quality should be controlled against a documented specification corresponding to the actual supplied grade.
Potential quality-control parameters include:
The final numerical limits should be taken directly from the actual SDP specification or COA.
This is particularly important for Isopropylparaben because values published for laboratory, research or other paraben grades should not automatically be presented as SDP commercial specifications.
The European Union's cosmetic regulatory framework lists Isopropylparaben among the substances covered under the entry for 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid and its salts and esters. The EU regulation lists CAS 4191-73-5 and EC 224-069-3 for Isopropylparaben within this group.
The cited EU entry specifies 0.4% expressed as acid for a single ester and 0.8% expressed as acid for mixtures of esters.
These figures are EU-specific regulatory information and should not be presented as a universal worldwide formulation limit. Finished-product manufacturers must verify the current requirements for the intended country, product category and formulation.
PubChem also records a Cosmetic Ingredient Review assessment covering Isopropylparaben as part of a broader paraben safety assessment.
Isopropylparaben should be stored in suitable, well-closed packaging that protects the material from contamination and unsuitable environmental conditions.
Storage considerations include protection from:
The actual storage conditions should follow the commercial product specification and applicable Safety Data Sheet.
Isopropylparaben is a paraben-family cosmetic ingredient associated with preservative applications. It has CAS Number 4191-73-5, molecular formula C₁₀H₁₂O₃, molecular weight 180.20 g/mol, and EC Number 224-069-3.
Its chemical identity and preservative function make it relevant to selected cosmetic and personal care formulation systems. Finished products should be assessed for preservation performance, formulation compatibility, stability, concentration and the regulatory requirements applicable to the intended market.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |