Phenethyl Alcohol is a liquid cosmetic ingredient widely used in fragrance, personal-care and cosmetic formulations. It is valued primarily for its soft, rose-like floral odour and can also contribute antimicrobial and preservative-support functionality in suitable formulations.
Phenethyl Alcohol is also known as 2-Phenylethanol and Phenylethyl Alcohol. It occurs naturally in certain essential oils and aromatic materials and is also commercially manufactured for use in fragrance and cosmetic applications. JECFA describes it as a colourless liquid with a mild, warm, rose and honey-like odour.
In cosmetic applications, Phenethyl Alcohol can be useful where a floral fragrance profile, solvent functionality or preservation-support role is required.
Phenethyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol supplied as a liquid raw material. It is particularly well known in the fragrance industry for its characteristic soft rose odour.
It can be incorporated into perfume compositions and fragranced cosmetic products and can also contribute to antimicrobial preservation systems. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists fragrance, preservative antimicrobial and solvent among its topical purposes and references cosmetic use up to 1%.
Phenethyl Alcohol is therefore a multifunctional ingredient for selected cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
The most important application of Phenethyl Alcohol is its use in fragrance systems.
Its characteristic rose-like odour makes it useful in floral fragrance compositions and products where a soft, natural-looking floral note is desired.
Potential applications include:
JECFA describes the odour as mild, warm, rose and honey-like.
Phenethyl Alcohol has antimicrobial properties and can contribute to preservation strategies in suitable cosmetic formulations.
It may be incorporated as part of a broader preservation system rather than being assumed to provide complete protection against all microorganisms.
The final preservation system should be evaluated according to:
Health Canada's ingredient database identifies Phenethyl Alcohol as having a preservative antimicrobial purpose and references use up to 1% in cosmetic formulations.
Phenethyl Alcohol can also provide solvent functionality in selected formulations.
Its solvent properties can assist with incorporating suitable fragrance and other compatible formulation components.
It can therefore be considered when a formulation requires both aromatic functionality and solvent performance.
Phenethyl Alcohol is particularly important in perfume and fragrance applications.
It can be used as:
Its soft floral character can be combined with other fragrance materials to develop different fragrance profiles.
Phenethyl Alcohol can be used in selected skin-care formulations where fragrance or preservation-support functionality is required.
Potential applications include:
The appropriate concentration should be determined according to the complete formulation and applicable regulatory requirements.
Phenethyl Alcohol can also be incorporated into selected hair-care formulations.
Potential applications include:
Compatibility should be evaluated with surfactants, conditioning agents, polymers, fragrances and other formulation components.
Phenethyl Alcohol can be used in various personal-care formulations, particularly products where floral fragrance characteristics are desirable.
Applications may include:
Phenethyl Alcohol is generally supplied as a clear, colourless liquid. A current Thermo Fisher specification lists clear colourless liquid as the appearance for its 99% grade.
Phenethyl Alcohol has a characteristic soft floral/rose odour. JECFA describes the odour as mild, warm, rose and honey-like.
Commercial grades differ in purity. A current Thermo Fisher 99% grade specifies GC purity of at least 98.5%, while JECFA's flavouring specification lists a minimum assay of 98%.
The exact cosmetic-grade specification should therefore be controlled through the selected supplier's current COA/TDS.
JECFA specifies a specific gravity of 1.017–1.020, while a current Thermo Fisher specification gives 1.016–1.021 at 25/25°C.
JECFA specifies a refractive index of 1.529–1.535, while Thermo Fisher specifies 1.5300–1.5350 at 20°C, 589 nm for its 99% grade.
Phenethyl Alcohol is slightly soluble in water and soluble in oils and propylene glycol. JECFA reports these solubility characteristics for its evaluated material.
Phenethyl Alcohol should be incorporated according to the selected supplier's recommended processing procedure.
Adequate mixing should be used to achieve uniform distribution throughout the finished formulation.
Compatibility should be evaluated with:
When Phenethyl Alcohol is used for antimicrobial or preservation support, the complete preservation system should be evaluated.
Appropriate microbiological testing should be performed on the finished formulation to establish preservation efficacy.
Phenethyl Alcohol is subject to concentration and labelling considerations depending on the intended application and destination market.
Health Canada's database references topical cosmetic use up to 1% based on CIR information.
For commercial cosmetic products, the latest applicable regulations should be checked before establishing the final use concentration.
Phenethyl Alcohol should be stored in a tightly closed container in accordance with the supplier's TDS/SDS requirements.
The material should be protected from unsuitable storage conditions and contamination.
Phenethyl Alcohol can be used in:
Phenethyl Alcohol is a liquid aromatic alcohol widely used as a fragrance ingredient and also used for solvent and antimicrobial preservation-support purposes.
The CAS number of Phenethyl Alcohol is 60-12-8.
It is primarily used as a fragrance ingredient and can also provide solvent and antimicrobial preservation-support functionality.
Yes. Phenethyl Alcohol is a clear, colourless liquid under normal conditions.
It has a soft, floral, rose-like odour. JECFA describes it as having a mild, warm, rose and honey-like odour.
Yes. It is widely used in fragrance and perfume compositions because of its characteristic floral/rose odour.
Yes. It can be used in suitable skin-care formulations, particularly where fragrance or preservation-support functionality is required.
Yes. It can be incorporated into suitable hair-care formulations depending on the formulation purpose and applicable regulations.
Yes. Phenethyl Alcohol has antimicrobial activity and can contribute to preservation-support systems. Health Canada's database specifically identifies a preservative antimicrobial purpose.
JECFA specifies specific gravity of 1.017–1.020, while a current Thermo Fisher 99% specification gives 1.016–1.021 at 25/25°C.
JECFA specifies 1.529–1.535, while a current Thermo Fisher 99% grade specifies 1.5300–1.5350 at 20°C, 589 nm.
The buyer should verify CAS identity, assay/purity, appearance, colour, odour, density, refractive index, water content, impurity profile, packaging, storage requirements, shelf life and applicable regulatory documentation through the supplier's COA/TDS/SDS.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |