Can parabens in lotions and products affect children's appetite and weight?

What's actually in it

Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben) are preservatives in lotions, shampoos, sunscreens, and other personal care products. They absorb through skin. Children who have lotion or sunscreen applied regularly have detectable paraben levels in their urine.

Satiety hormones like leptin and ghrelin tell the body when to start and stop eating. These hormones are regulated by the endocrine system. Parabens, as endocrine disruptors, can interfere with their signaling.

What the research says

A 2025 study in Environ Res measured paraben exposure and satiety hormone levels in preschool children as part of the ENVIRONAGE study. Children with higher paraben exposure showed associations with altered satiety hormone levels. The disruption was consistent with parabens interfering with hormonal signaling that controls appetite and hunger cues.

If children's hunger signals are disrupted early in life, that can affect eating patterns and weight regulation throughout childhood and beyond.

Check the ingredient labels of all products applied to children's skin. Anything ending in "-paraben" on the label is a paraben. Choose simple, paraben-free products for children. Organic cotton baby gear for washcloths and towels keeps non-product chemical contact minimal.