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