Paraben

Origin

From para-hydroxybenzoate

Full definition of paraben

Noun

1. Any of a group of chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, wherein the hydrogen of a parahydroxybenzene molecule is replaced by an alkyl group
• 2007, February 19, , Products for the Skin (1 Letter), I got breast cancer this year, and now avoid products containing parabens.