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