Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

eye-OH-doh-PRO-pin-ul BYOO-til-KAR-bah-mate

Preservative 5/10 Safety Not CGControversial Synthetic Vegan

What Is Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate?

A preservative effective against fungi and yeast, often used in combination with other preservatives for broad-spectrum protection. Contains iodine as its active antimicrobial component.

Source: Synthetic iodine-containing compound

Origin: Synthetic

Also known as: IPBC

What Does Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate Do to Your Hair?

Provides strong antifungal and anti-yeast preservation in hair products. Less effective against bacteria so it is always combined with antibacterial preservatives. Particularly useful in products prone to fungal contamination.

Best For

All hair types (when necessary for preservation)

Not Recommended For

Sensitive scalp, iodine-sensitive individuals, pregnant women

Concentration Matters

0.01-0.02% in products

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Avoid
CG Avoid

Safety & Regulation

5/10
AvoidCautionSafe

EU restricts to 0.02% in body products and prohibits use in products for children under 3 and in lip products. Not for use during pregnancy. Can cause contact sensitization. Effective but not the safest choice.

FDA Status: Restricted

FDA permits use in cosmetics. EU restricts to 0.02% in body products, prohibits in products for children under 3.

EWG Score: 5/10

HairAide Verdict

Not the worst preservative but not the best either. The iodine component makes it off-limits for some consumers. EU restrictions suggest caution. Safer antifungal preservative alternatives exist.

Products That Contain Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Some shampoos, conditioners, rinse-off products

Alternatives to Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

If you want to avoid Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate safe for hair?

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate has a safety rating of 5/10. It's generally acceptable but may cause issues for some hair types. EU restricts to 0.02% in body products and prohibits use in products for children under 3 and in lip products. Not for use during pregnancy. Can cause contact sensitization. Effective but not the safest choice.

Is Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate bad for curly hair?

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate is not CG-method approved. Curly hair types may want to avoid this ingredient or use products containing it sparingly.

Is Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate CG-method approved?

No, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate is not approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate?

Some alternatives to Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate include: Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol

Get Our Free Ingredient Decoder Cheat Sheet

Take the guesswork out of reading product labels. Our printable cheat sheet helps you decode ingredients while you shop.

Check What's In Your Products

Use our free Hair Product Label Analyzer to check any product's ingredient list instantly.

Analyze My Product →