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