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