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
Phenylmonoglycol ether
2-Phenoxyethyl alcohol
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
Phenoxyethanol
beta-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
Phenoxytol
Phenyl cellosolve
1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane
2-phenoxyethanol
Brand Names
Aiweier Alcohol Wipes
Sanitary alcohol disinfectant wipes
Disinfectant Cleaning Wipes
Marcorodex
Alcohol Wipes
HPY Instant Hand Sanitizer
Wet Wipes
HydroGold 9
Micro
Edens Hand Sanitizing Wipes
SUNHEAL Milia Spot Treatment
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer Smells Clean
Disinfecting Alcohol Wipes
Acropole Bleu
Disinfect Wipes
Antibacterial wipes
Disinfection Wet Wipes
Grime Eater Lotion Soap 2.5%
Disinfecting Wipes
Cosmos Hv
Puricia Sanitizing Wipes (Lavender)
Vaxol Puri
Sanitize/Disinfect Wipes
Puricia Sanitizing Wipes ( Blossom)
Alcohol disinfectant wipes
Alcohol wipes
Cpap Wipes
Purgerm 75% alcohol wipes
Lanohex Nettoyeur Pour LA Peau 1.7%
DISINFECT Wet WIPES
75% Alcohol Wipes
Puricia Sanitizing Wipes (Citrus)
Manugel 85
Puricia Sanitizing Wipes (Mint)
Aiweier Disinfecttant Wipes
Disinfectant Wet Wipes
Lanohex Shp 1.7%
AnubisMed
Indication
Antimicrobial agent used as a preservative in cosmetics [L2618], [L2619], [L2625].