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