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