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