<!-- Ethylparaben: is it reef safe? | Reef Label -->
Source: https://reeflabel.com/ingredients/ethylparaben/

Preservative · Reef research: Limited data

# Ethylparaben

A preservative named in Palau's reef-toxic chemical list.

Banned in

-   Palau

## Where it’s restricted

Named in the law or guidance

| Location | Status | Since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Palau](https://reeflabel.com/locations/palau/) [law text ↗](https://www.palaugov.pw/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/RPPL-No.-10-30-re.-The-Responsible-Tourism-Education-Act-of-2018.pdf) | In force | January 1, 2020 |

## What the reef research says

A 2018 survey examined personal care product chemicals in surface water of coral reefs in Kenting National Park, Taiwan. It tested five preservatives, including ethylparaben, in seawater and river water from eight beaches and two river estuaries. A 2025 study in Water Research found that seawater speeds up the sunlight-driven transformation of ethylparaben. Nitro-products formed in seawater and estuarine water in that study, and the authors predict they are more persistent and more toxic to marine organisms than ethylparaben. That toxicity result is a model prediction, not a measured effect on coral.

-   [Kung et al. 2018, Sci Total Environ 635:1302-1307: Survey of selected personal care products in surface water of coral reefs in Kenting National Park, Taiwan](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29710583/)
-   [Gao et al., Water Res 290:125127 (online 9 Dec 2025; issue 15 Feb 2026): Coupled nitrogen-pollutant photochemistry: Marine nitration of ethylparaben and formation of toxic nitro-products](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41391249/)

## Products that contain it (3)

[

Aveeno

Positively Radiant Daily Face Moisturizer SPF 30 (earlier formula)Discontinued

SPF 30 · lotion · Chemical/hybrid

Not allowed: Hawaii, Maui County +7

](https://reeflabel.com/products/aveeno-positively-radiant-daily-face-moisturizer-spf-30-earlier-formula/)[

Banana Boat

Kids Sport Sunscreen Lotion Spray SPF 50+ (9.5 oz twin pack)

SPF 50 · spray aerosol · Chemical/hybrid

Allowed in 3 of 9 placesNot allowed: Maui County, Hawaiʻi County +4

](https://reeflabel.com/products/banana-boat-kids-sport-sunscreen-lotion-spray-spf-50-plus-twin-pack/)[

Neutrogena

Triple Age Repair Moisturizer SPF 25

SPF 25 · cream · Chemical/hybrid

Allowed in 3 of 9 placesNot allowed: Maui County, Hawaiʻi County +3Unverified in 1

](https://reeflabel.com/products/neutrogena-triple-age-repair-moisturizer-spf-25/)

[Search these products that list ethylparaben →](https://reeflabel.com/products/?q=ethylparaben)

**Related ingredients:** [Methylparaben](https://reeflabel.com/ingredients/methylparaben/), [Propylparaben](https://reeflabel.com/ingredients/propylparaben/), [Butylparaben](https://reeflabel.com/ingredients/butylparaben/), [Phenoxyethanol](https://reeflabel.com/ingredients/phenoxyethanol/)

Last reviewed October 14, 2026.

### Label names we match

-   ethylparaben
-   ethyl paraben

### Regulatory status

**Wikidata:** [Q229976](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229976)

**US FDA:** Permitted.

**EU:** Permitted, max 0.4%.