New EU legislation has come into place limiting the percentage of two preservative parabens in cosmetics.

From April 16, maximum concentration limits apply to propylparaben and butylparaben in cosmetics sold across the EU.

The new limits reduce the maximum allowed concentration of the preservatives from 0.4 percent when used individually and 0.8 percnet when mixed with other esters, to 0.14 percent, when used individually or together.

Yet both products are now banned for us in leave-on products, destined for the nappy area of children under the age of three.

Products placed on the market from today must comply with the new rules; but existing stocks can remain on the shelves until 16 October.