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