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