PABA

Synthetic

Appears in 4 scanned products.

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Para-aminobenzoic acid is an organic compound related to the B-vitamin family. It is produced by some bacteria and plants and was once marketed as 'vitamin Bx,' though it is not recognized as an essential nutrient for humans.

Why it’s used

Historically taken for skin and hair-related complaints; it has also been used topically in older sunscreen formulations.

What the evidence says

PABA is not classified as an essential nutrient, and NIH ODS does not maintain a fact sheet for it, reflecting the limited modern research base for oral supplementation. Older, small studies exist for specific skin conditions, but the overall body of evidence is thin and dated.

Where we looked

There was no paper to cite here, so this is the search instead — run it yourself and see what we saw.

PubMed: 2 records · searched August 2026"Para-Aminobenzoic Acid"[Title/Abstract] AND ("dietary supplements"[MeSH] OR supplementation[Title/Abstract] OR supplement[Title/Abstract] OR supplements[Title/Abstract] OR "oral administration"[Title/Abstract]) AND (randomized controlled trial[pt] OR clinical trial[pt] OR meta-analysis[pt] OR systematic review[pt]) AND humans[MeSH]
PubMed: 1111 records · searched August 2026"Para-Aminobenzoic Acid"[Title/Abstract]
PubMed: 2 records · searched August 2026"PABA"[Title/Abstract] AND ("dietary supplements"[MeSH] OR supplementation[Title/Abstract] OR supplement[Title/Abstract] OR supplements[Title/Abstract] OR "oral administration"[Title/Abstract]) AND (randomized controlled trial[pt] OR clinical trial[pt] OR meta-analysis[pt] OR systematic review[pt]) AND humans[MeSH]
PubMed: 1498 records · searched August 2026"PABA"[Title/Abstract]

This says what this database holds under these terms. It is not a finding that no research exists.

Context

No standard dose has been established through modern clinical research, and historical use predates current trial standards.

Educational information, not medical or safety advice. Consult a professional for allergies or medical concerns.