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