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