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