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