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