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