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