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