Paraben

General chemical structure of a paraben
(a para-hydroxybenzoate)
where R = an alkyl group

Parabens are chemicals that are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Chemically, they are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid (also known as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid). Research is being conducted to evaluate the potential health implications of paraben usage.