Phenoxyethanol is a widely used synthetic cosmetic preservative and antimicrobial ingredient supplied as a clear liquid. It is primarily used to help protect cosmetic and personal-care formulations from microbial spoilage.
Phenoxyethanol is particularly relevant to formulations containing water, where microbial contamination can affect product quality and stability. It is used across a broad range of cosmetic categories including skin care, hair care, cleansing products, deodorants, aftershave products, sunscreens and makeup.
COSMILE Europe identifies Phenoxyethanol as an antimicrobial and preservative ingredient and describes it as a clear liquid with a characteristic pleasant odour.
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic aromatic ether alcohol commonly used as a preservative in cosmetic formulations. Its principal purpose is to help control the growth of microorganisms and protect finished products against microbial deterioration.
It is particularly useful in aqueous and water-containing formulations where preservation is required.
Phenoxyethanol can be incorporated into a variety of cosmetic systems depending on the formulation design, preservation strategy, product category and regulatory requirements.
Phenoxyethanol is primarily used to protect cosmetic formulations from microbial spoilage.
Microorganisms can multiply in water-containing cosmetic products when an effective preservation system is not present. A suitable preservative system helps maintain product quality during storage and consumer use.
Phenoxyethanol is mainly effective against bacteria and may be combined with other preservation ingredients when broader antimicrobial coverage is required.
The appropriate preservation strategy depends on the complete formulation, packaging, water activity, pH, manufacturing process and required shelf life.
Phenoxyethanol can be used in numerous skin-care formulations where preservation is required.
Potential applications include:
In these systems, Phenoxyethanol helps support microbiological stability when incorporated at an appropriate level.
Phenoxyethanol can also be used in water-containing hair-care products.
Potential applications include:
The preservative system should be evaluated together with surfactants, conditioning agents, polymers, fragrances and other formulation components.
Phenoxyethanol is used in various cleansing and personal-care formulations.
Examples include:
The effectiveness of a preservative system can depend on formulation pH, surfactant composition, packaging, water activity and other ingredients.
Phenoxyethanol can be incorporated into emulsified cosmetic products such as creams and lotions.
Emulsions containing water provide an environment where microbial growth can occur. An appropriately designed preservation system therefore forms an important part of the formulation-development process.
The preservative should be incorporated according to the supplier's recommended processing conditions and the requirements of the finished product.
Phenoxyethanol can be used across a range of cosmetic formulations. COSMILE Europe identifies an optimum effect around pH 4–5.
The final formulation pH should nevertheless be selected according to the complete formulation and finished-product requirements rather than based only on the preservative.
Formulators should evaluate preservation performance using appropriate challenge testing or other applicable microbiological validation.
For cosmetic products in the European Union, Phenoxyethanol is permitted as a preservative at a maximum concentration of 1% in the finished cosmetic product.
The actual concentration used in a formulation should be determined according to:
The maximum regulatory limit should not automatically be treated as the recommended formulation concentration.
Phenoxyethanol is supplied as a clear liquid. Commercial appearance should be verified against the selected grade specification.
Phenoxyethanol should be incorporated according to the supplier's recommended manufacturing process.
Adequate mixing is important to achieve uniform distribution throughout the formulation.
The formulation pH should be controlled according to the finished product requirements and preservation strategy.
Compatibility should be evaluated with:
Phenoxyethanol may be used alone or as part of a broader preservation system, depending on the microbial protection required.
The complete system should be evaluated rather than assuming that one preservative will provide adequate protection against every microorganism.
Finished cosmetic formulations should undergo appropriate microbiological evaluation and preservation efficacy testing where applicable.
Phenoxyethanol should be stored according to the supplier's TDS/SDS requirements, in a suitable closed container and protected from inappropriate storage conditions.
Phenoxyethanol can be used in:
COSMILE Europe specifically lists deodorants, skin and hair care/cleansing products, aftershave lotions, sunscreens and makeup among cosmetic applications.
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic liquid cosmetic ingredient primarily used as a preservative and antimicrobial.
It is primarily used to help protect cosmetic formulations from microbial spoilage.
Yes. Phenoxyethanol is supplied as a clear liquid.
The CAS number commonly assigned to Phenoxyethanol is 122-99-6.
In the European Union, Phenoxyethanol is permitted as a preservative up to 1% in the finished cosmetic product.
COSMILE Europe identifies the optimum effect of Phenoxyethanol around pH 4–5.
Yes. It can be used as part of the preservation system in suitable shampoo formulations.
Yes. It is widely used in water-containing skin-care formulations such as creams and lotions.
Yes. Phenoxyethanol can be incorporated into preservation systems containing other antimicrobial ingredients when the combination is compatible and permitted for the intended product.
Yes. It is particularly relevant to water-containing cosmetic formulations where microbial protection is required.
The buyer should verify CAS identity, purity/assay, appearance, colour, odour, density, water content, acidity or other applicable quality parameters, packaging, storage requirements, shelf life and regulatory documentation through the supplier's COA/TDS/SDS.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |