Information › Ingredients › Parabens
Parabens: what they are and how they read on the label
Updated on 4 November 2026
At a glance
- Kind
- In personal care products
- Also as
- paraben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben…
- Without parabens
- 391 products
- Contain it
- 10 products
- Supermarkets
- AH, Jumbo, PLUS, Dirk and Hoogvliet
What are parabens?
Parabens are preservatives in personal care products, such as methylparaben and propylparaben.
Recognise
On a Dutch label as
- paraben
- methylparaben
- ethylparaben
- propylparaben
- butylparaben
- isobutylparaben
- E214
- E215
- E218
- E219
May also be it
- ‘preservative’ without a name
Not parabens
- phenoxyethanol (a different preservative)
We look for these Dutch words in the ingredient list itself, also between brackets. If in doubt, read the pack.
Shopping
Examples without parabens
- Seepje Handzeep eucalyptus en rozemarijnSeepje · 300 mlAlbert Heijn € 3,99 1+1Jumbo € 3,99PLUS € 3,99Contains: Fragrance, Limoneen, Linalool
- Seepje Handzeep lavendel met tonkaSeepje · 300 mlAlbert Heijn € 3,99 1+1Jumbo € 3,99PLUS € 3,99Contains: Fragrance, Limoneen, Linalool
- Seepje Shower gel white peach and cedarwoodSeepje · 300 mlAlbert Heijn € 5,99 1+1PLUS € 5,99Contains: Fragrance
- Seepje Sinaasappel handzeepSeepje · 300 mlAlbert Heijn € 3,99 1+1PLUS € 3,99Contains: Fragrance, Limoneen
- Fa Men sport deodorant sprayFa · 150 mlAlbert Heijn € 4,19 1+1PLUS € 4,19Contains: Alcohol, Benzylalcohol, Citronellol, Fragrance, Hexyl cinnamal, Linalool, Propylene glycol
- Dettol Wasgel originalDettol · 250 mlPLUS € 1,50Albert Heijn € 2,99 1+1Jumbo € 2,99Hoogvliet € 2,99Contains: Fragrance, Isothiazolinones, Sulfates
All 391 personal care products without parabens (in Dutch)
What to look for in the shop
- Read the ingredient list (INCI) on the pack: the substances are there under their English or Latin names.
- A ‘free from’ claim on the front is a good sign, but the list on the back decides.
Good to know
How do parabens read on a Dutch label?As paraben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, E214 and E215.
As paraben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, E214 and E215. We look for those words in the ingredient list itself, also in compound ingredients between brackets.
How many personal care products contain parabens?10 of the 401 personal care products with an ingredient list, about 2%.
10 of the 401 personal care products with an ingredient list, about 2%. The other 391 do not name it.
A choice of your own, not an allergy
Parabens are not an allergen: whether you eat or use them is up to you. We show what the ingredient list says, so you can choose. Recipes change: if in doubt, the pack in your hand decides.
More ingredients under Ingredients; allergens under Allergies.
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