Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products. Described as “an oily, slightly sticky liquid with a faint rose-like scent.”

In perfumes, fragrances, soaps, and cleansers, phenoxyethanol works as a stabilizer. In other cosmetics, it’s used as an antibacterial and a preservative to prevent products from losing their potency or spoiling.

How it works:

• It prevents microbial growth- Phenoxyethanol helps by preventing the growth of bacteria.
• It stabilizes products- Phenoxyethanol is compatible with many other preservatives and it doesn’t react with light or air. Phenoxyethanol itself is stable at a wide range of pHs and works well in a variety of formulas.
• It enhances the shelf life of your products- As a preservative, phenoxyethanol is ultimately used to extend a product’s lifespan. Its antimicrobial and stabilizing properties protect the formula from spoilage, which would render the product useless—and unsafe.

Suggested Use

Use at a maximum concentration of  1% or less.

Phenoxyethanol is recommended for use in the following:

Products that contain phenoxyethanol include:

• Eye shadow
• Sunscreen
• Mascara and eyeliner
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Foundation and concealer
• Hand cream
• Blush
• Hair Color
• Hair spray
• Lip balm and gloss
• Lotion and moisturizer
• Nail polish
• Baby wipes‌

* High loads of ethoxylated surfactants can result in a loss of efficacy.

Phenoxyethanol contains:

• Phenoxyethanol          100.0%

Warning

Phenoxyethanol is thought to cause central nervous system damage in exposed infants. However, there’s no known significant risk to the mother or other healthy adults without allergies.

You should avoid this chemical if you’re:

• allergic to it
• pregnant
• breastfeeding
• considering using on a child under 3 years old

When used at the low concentrations (less than 1%) found in cosmetics, phenoxyethanol is unlikely to cause harmful or unpleasant outcomes.