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