Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as artificial preservatives in cosmetic, hair, beauty, and pharmaceutical products. Chemically, they are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid. Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. Parabens have been linked to tumors in women with breast cancer, respiratory issues, infertility, and asthma.