Phenoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. It is a glycol ether used as a perfume fixative, insect repellent, antiseptic, solvent, preservative, and also as an anesthetic in fish aquaculture. Phenoxyethanol is an ether alcohol with aromatic properties. It is both naturally found and manufactured synthetically. Demonstrating antimicrobial ability, phenoxyethanol acts as an effective preservative in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and lubricants [L2619]. Phenoxyethanol (EU), or PE, is the most commonly used globally-approved preservative in personal care formulations. It is very easy to use in various types of formulations and is chemically stable. Phenoxyethanol is a colorless, clear, oily liquid with a faint aromatic odor at room temperature and a low water solubility and evaporation rate. It is produced by reacting phenol (EU) and ethylene oxide (EU) at a high temperature and pressure. This substance occurs naturally in green tea (EU) [L2621]. According to the European Union Cosmetics Regulation (EC) n.1223/2009, phenoxyethanol is authorized as a preservative in cosmetic formulations at a maximum concentration of 1.0% [L2625]. Phenoxyethanol has been classified as an antimicrobial and preservative by Health Canada [L2623]. It has also been used in vaccines and shown to inactivate bacteria, and several types of yeast [A32838].
Synonyms
Phenoxyethanol
2-Phenoxyethyl alcohol
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
Phenylmonoglycol ether
beta-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
2-phenoxyethanol
2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
Phenyl cellosolve
Phenoxytol
1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane
Brand Names
Grime Eater Lotion Soap 2.5%
Puricia Sanitizing Wipes ( Blossom)
Vaxol Puri
Edens Hand Sanitizing Wipes
Purgerm 75% alcohol wipes
Wet Wipes
Disinfecting Wipes
75% Alcohol Wipes
HPY Instant Hand Sanitizer
SUNHEAL Milia Spot Treatment
Cpap Wipes
Alcohol Wipes
Aiweier Alcohol Wipes
Disinfectant Cleaning Wipes
Sanitary alcohol disinfectant wipes
AnubisMed
Manugel 85
Marcorodex
Puricia Sanitizing Wipes (Lavender)
Disinfectant Wet Wipes
Lanohex Nettoyeur Pour LA Peau 1.7%
Acropole Bleu
Aiweier Disinfecttant Wipes
Hand Sanitizer Smells Clean
Disinfecting Alcohol Wipes
Puricia Sanitizing Wipes (Citrus)
Cosmos Hv
Antibacterial wipes
Sanitize/Disinfect Wipes
Alcohol wipes
Alcohol disinfectant wipes
Disinfect Wipes
Micro
Puricia Sanitizing Wipes (Mint)
Hand Sanitizer
Lanohex Shp 1.7%
Disinfection Wet Wipes
HydroGold 9
DISINFECT Wet WIPES
Indication
Antimicrobial agent used as a preservative in cosmetics [L2618], [L2619], [L2625].