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