Are parabens in beauty products safe to use during pregnancy?

What's actually in it

Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben) are preservatives used in lotions, shampoos, conditioners, makeup, and other personal care products. They absorb through your skin and are detectable in blood and urine within hours of use.

During pregnancy, anything that gets into your bloodstream can potentially reach your baby. Parabens are known weak estrogens, meaning they mimic the hormone estrogen in your body.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environmental Health Perspectives measured paraben levels in pregnant women and found that higher urinary paraben concentrations were associated with altered reproductive hormone levels in the mothers. The hormones most affected were those that signal the developing baby's reproductive system.

The window of fetal development is uniquely vulnerable to hormone interference. The reproductive system forms during specific weeks of pregnancy, and even small shifts in estrogen signaling at the wrong time can have permanent effects on the child.

Butylparaben was the most potent, but methylparaben and propylparaben, which are in nearly every lotion and shampoo, also showed effects at realistic exposure levels. Switching to paraben-free products during pregnancy is one of the most direct ways to reduce this exposure.