Preservative

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

INCI · Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate · also IPBC

Revelika safety grade

Overview

A preservative with strong activity against moulds and yeasts, used at very low levels and usually alongside a broader partner that covers bacteria. Regulators in several regions restrict both its concentration and the product types it may appear in.

Who it's for

Anyone using a water-containing product, which needs some preservative system — the alternative is not a cleaner formula but a spoiling one.

Cautions

It is a documented contact allergen and appears on standard patch-test series, which is why it is regulated tightly and why people with a known reaction learn to scan for the abbreviation IPBC. This is a reason to read labels if you have that history, not a general safety verdict.

Suitability
Suits skin type
Dry Oily Combination Sensitive Acne-prone Mature Normal
Concentration
Concentration0 – 10%
Effective from
Max safe
In the glossary
Frequently asked
What does Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate do in skincare?

A preservative with strong activity against moulds and yeasts, used at very low levels and usually alongside a broader partner that covers bacteria. Regulators in several regions restrict both its concentration and the product types it may appear in.

Is Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate considered safe for skin?

It is a documented contact allergen and appears on standard patch-test series, which is why it is regulated tightly and why people with a known reaction learn to scan for the abbreviation IPBC. This is a reason to read labels if you have that history, not a general safety verdict.

RRevelika

A science-forward beauty ingredient encyclopedia. Every entry is written from published research and graded conservatively before it publishes.

Editorial standard

Content is educational, not medical advice. When evidence is uncertain we say so — and we default to caution on pregnancy safety.

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