PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) (para-aminobenzoic acid)

Table of Contents

Other names

PABA
Vitamin Bx (historical term)
Aminobenzoate

Synopsis

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is an organic compound that is structurally related to folic acid and often grouped with the B-vitamin complex, though it is not officially recognized as a vitamin. It is a naturally occurring compound found in foods such as liver, whole grains, and brewer’s yeast, and it plays a key role as a cofactor in folate metabolism in bacteria.

In human health, PABA is used primarily for skin protection, pigmentation support, and tissue repair. It was once a common ingredient in sunscreens due to its ability to absorb ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, but its topical use has declined due to reports of allergic reactions and photosensitivity. However, PABA derivatives (like padimate O) are still found in some commercial sun protection products.

Internally, PABA supplements have been studied for their potential to support skin and hair health, particularly in conditions like vitiligo, scleroderma, and premature graying of hair. Some alternative practitioners use PABA to support fertility, collagen integrity, and connective tissue health, based on its theorized role in protein metabolism and cellular oxygenation.

PABA also appears to have antioxidant and anti-fibrotic effects and has been researched for its use in conditions involving abnormal tissue thickening, such as Peyronie’s disease and lichen sclerosus. While it is not essential for human survival, its role in bacterial folate synthesis and its broader biological effects continue to be explored in nutritional and dermatological contexts.

Historical Use in Medicine
PABA was first identified in the early 20th century during research on folic acid and the B-vitamin group. In the 1930s and 1940s, it became widely used in dermatology for its UV-blocking effects, appearing in some of the earliest commercial sunscreens. Its popularity as a topical agent grew during World War II, when protecting soldiers from sunburn in tropical environments became a priority.

In the mid-20th century, PABA supplements also gained traction in natural health circles as a potential treatment for vitiligo, skin aging, and gray hair, largely due to anecdotal evidence and early clinical observations. It was included in many B-complex vitamin formulas and marketed as a “beauty vitamin,” although its classification as a vitamin was later dropped when it was shown to be non-essential for human nutrition.

In early naturopathic and alternative medicine, PABA was sometimes used to address fatigue, infertility, and tissue stiffness, and some protocols included it as part of comprehensive therapy for autoimmune skin conditions. Later, pharmaceutical-grade PABA was studied for its anti-fibrotic properties in diseases like pulmonary fibrosis and scleroderma, with mixed but intriguing results.

While less commonly used today due to shifts in dermatological safety standards, PABA remains a compound of interest in functional medicine for its skin, connective tissue, and metabolic-supporting properties—especially when used under professional supervision.

Uses: Health Conditions

None

Body Systems

Hair (Science)
Skin (Science)
Structural System (Science)