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