JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE 70 for leave-on samples and rinse-off samples, respectively. As shown in Table III, parabens were not detected in 2 of 70 leave-on samples and 13 of 35 rinse-off samples. Parabens were more often used in leave-on samples compared with the rinse-off samples as shown in Table III. CONTENTS OF PARABENS In general, the mean content of parabens was less than 0.10% in leave-on and rinse-off products. The maximum level of propylparaben detected in leave-on samples was 0.38%, which was close to the restriction level of 0.40% (8) as shown in Table IV. The levels of mixed esters in both categories of cosmetics were less than the restricted level of 0.8% (8). Among the 62 leave-on products with mixed esters, the levels in 2 samples were deter- mined to be 0.75% and 0.63%, which were approaching the limitation of 0.8%. The levels in 3 samples were between 0.40% and 0.60%, 8 samples fell in the range from 0.20% to 0.39%, 27 samples were between 0.10% and 0.19%, and 22 samples were below 0.09%. Among the 10 rinse-off products with mixed esters, the levels in 2 samples were determined to be 0.20% and 0.30%, and that in the other 8 samples were below 0.10%. The level of 18 samples with monoester were all less than 0.10% in both leave-on and rinse-off samples. In addition, we found that the levels of paraben preservatives in children’s cosmetics were at the same level as those in adults’ cosmetics (3,4). Parabens are capable of permeating through and accumulating in the skin (9). Considering that children’s body weight is less and their skin is more permeable than that of adults, the dosage of substances absorbed through skin is also higher than adults because of the high ratio between skin surface area (10). As a result, the exposure risk of parabens in cosmet- ics for children may be higher than those for adults. However, further supportive data are needed. Table III Frequencies of Using Mixed Esters and Monoester in Cosmetics for Children Preservatives Category Leave-on products Rinse-off products Methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben 3 ND Methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben 10 ND Methylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben 1 ND Methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben 7 ND Methylparaben and ethylparaben 15 ND Methylparaben and propylparaben 25 10 Ethylparaben and propylparaben 1 ND Methylparaben 4 6 Ethylparaben ND 1 Propylparaben 2 5 Not detected 2 13 ND: Not detected.

PARABENS IN COMMERCIAL COSMETICS 71 Table IV Results of the Contents of Preservatives in 105 for Children’s Cosmetics Category Methylparaben Ethylparaben Propylparaben Butylparaben Mean Minimum Maximum Mean Minimum Maximum Mean Minimum Maximum Mean Minimum Maximum Leave-on products 0.08 0.008 0.35 0.06 0.005 0.22 0.05 0.002 0.38 0.03 0.002 0.08 Rinse-off products 0.04 0.001 0.13 ND ND ND 0.03 0.001 0.11 ND ND ND ND: Not detected.