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