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