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