Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate (IPBC)
A broad-spectrum preservative with a rising allergy rate — especially in wet wipes and leave-on products
INCIIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
- Category
- Preservative
- Risk level
- medium
- What it is
- An iodine-containing biocide effective at very low levels (0.02–0.1%)
- Rising allergen
- Patch-test positivity has climbed as it replaced isothiazolinones; wipes are a major source
- EU restriction
- Banned in body lotion/milk and in products for children under 3; capped (~0.02%) in face products; not allowed in lip products
- Highest risk
- Leave-on products and wipes (prolonged contact, often on irritated skin)
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Commonly found in
Possible reactions
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Facial rash from cosmetics or face wipes
- Perianal/perioral dermatitis from wipes
- Eyelid dermatitis from eye-area products
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What is IPBC?
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC) is a synthetic, iodine-containing biocide used as a preservative in cosmetics (and in paints and wood treatments). It's broad-spectrum, works across a wide pH range, and is effective at very low concentrations (0.02–0.1%) without affecting a product's texture or colour — which made it an attractive replacement as brands moved away from the isothiazolinones.
That popularity has a downside: IPBC is now a clinically significant and rising contact allergen, appearing more often in patch-test data as its use grows.
Why it causes reactions
IPBC is protein-reactive — it can bind skin proteins to form haptens that drive a delayed (Type IV) hypersensitivity reaction. The risk concentrates in predictable places:
- Wet wipes and baby wipes — a leading source: leave-on contact, delicate/irritated areas, frequent use.
- Leave-on lotions — more contact time than rinse-off products.
- Concentration — higher levels in leave-on formats carry more risk.
Reflecting this, the EU restricts IPBC: banned in body lotion/milk and in products for children under 3, capped at about 0.02% in face products, and not permitted in lip products. (The iodine in its structure is chemically distinct from free iodine; a cross-reaction with dietary/contrast iodine sensitivity isn't well established.)
How to spot and avoid it
- Read labels for Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate (or IPBC), especially on wipes and leave-on lotions.
- Choose IPBC-free wipes — or skip wipes for plain water/cloth on sensitive areas.
- Prefer alternative preservation — phenoxyethanol/ethylhexylglycerin, sodium benzoate/potassium sorbate.
- For babies/eczema, favour simple, minimally-preserved options.
When to see a dermatologist
Unexplained facial, eyelid, perioral, or perianal dermatitis — especially in wipe users — is worth patch testing; IPBC is on contemporary series. Confirming it lets you target wipes and leave-on products precisely.
The bottom line
IPBC is a useful but increasingly troublesome preservative whose allergy risk is concentrated in wipes and leave-on products. The EU already bans it from body lotions and young-children's products; if you're sensitised, wipes are the first place to look, and IPBC-free preservation is widely available.
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