Is it safe to use face cream with methylparaben while trying to get pregnant?
Use caution. A 2026 lab study found methylparaben harmed egg-support cells and embryo development in a pig oocyte model.
What's actually in it
Methylparaben is a preservative used in some face creams, lotions, hair products, foods, and medicines. It helps stop mold and bacteria from growing in the product.
The question is not whether one face cream ruins fertility. It does not. The better question is whether a daily leave-on product is worth swapping during the months you are trying to conceive.
What the research says
A 2026 study in J Appl Toxicol exposed pig oocytes to methylparaben in the lab. Pig oocytes are used in fertility research because their maturation process has useful overlap with human egg biology. The study found DNA damage in cumulus cells at all tested doses, lower oocyte and cumulus-cell viability at higher doses, and lower embryo development after fertilization.
This study does not prove that a face cream prevents pregnancy. It does show a real reproductive biology signal, so the practical move is simple: use a face cream labeled paraben-free while you are trying to conceive. Also check labels for methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Impact of Methylparaben on Cumulus Cell DNA Integrity and Porcine Oocyte Developmental Competence In Vitro. | J Appl Toxicol | 2026 |