Parabens in Personal Care Products and Pregnancy Birth Outcomes

Your daily moisturizer might be doing more than just hydrating your skin. A 2026 study published in the Taiwan Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found a direct link between the use of leave-on personal care products and higher levels of methyl paraben and propyl paraben in pregnant women.

Researchers analyzed 944 pregnant women and found that these chemicals aren't just sitting on your skin. They are entering your system and correlating with changes in neonatal growth. Specifically, propyl paraben exposure was associated with shifts in the ponderal index of male newborns, while butyl paraben levels showed a negative correlation with thoracic circumference in female neonates. The study, which you can read in full here, also noted potential impacts on head circumference.

It is time to stop guessing what is in your bathroom cabinet. Check your ingredient labels for anything ending in -paraben and start swapping them out for cleaner options. You don't have to overhaul your entire life overnight, but replacing your lotions and soaps with non-toxic baby alternatives and adult personal care is a simple way to reduce your chemical load during pregnancy.

Source: Subramani B, Chang CH, Chen YT, Liang HW, Huang YF (2026). Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol.