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