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