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