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