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Phenoxethol is used as a preservative in cosmetic products and also as a stabilizer in perfumes and soaps.
Exposure to Phenoxethol has been linked to reactions ranging from eczema to severe, life-threatening allergic reactions.
Infant oral exposure to Phenoxethol can acutely affect nervous system function.
CAS: 122-99-6
MF: C8H10O2
MW: 138.16
EINECS: 204-589-7
Phenoxethol is the organic compound with the formula C6H5OC2H4OH.
Phenoxethol is a colorless oily liquid.
Phenoxethol can be classified as a glycol ether and a phenol ether.
Phenoxethol is a common preservative in vaccine formulations.
Phenoxethol is used as a preservative in cosmetic products to limit bacterial growth.
A review of 43 cosmetic products demonstrated that only 25 percent of the products had concentrations of Phenoxethol greater than 0.6 percent and the mean concentration of phenoxyethanol was 0.46 percent.
Phenoxethol is also used as to stabilize components found in perfumes and soaps.
Phenoxethol is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in dermatological products such as skin creams and sunscreen.
Phenoxethol is a colorless oily liquid.
Phenoxethol is a bactericide (usually used in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds).
Phenoxethol is used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines and pharmaceuticals as a preservative.
Colorless liquid with a pleasant odor.
Density 1.02 g / cm3.
Phenoxethol is an irritant.
Phenoxethol is prepared by treating phenol with ethylene oxide in an alkaline medium.
Moderately toxic by ingestion and skin contact.
A skin and severe eye irritant.
Mutation data reported.
Some glycol ethers have dangerous human reproductive effects.
Combustible when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials.
When heated to decomposition Phenoxethol emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
Phenoxethol produces a local anesthetic effect on the lips, tongue, and other mucous membranes.
The pure material is a moderate irritant to the skin and eyes.
In animal studies, a 10% v/v solution was not irritant to rabbit skin and a 2% v/v solution was not irritant to the rabbit eye.
Long-term exposure to phenoxyethanol may result in CNS toxic effects similar to other organic solvents.
Safety issues related to preservatives used in vaccines, including Phenoxethol have been reviewed.
Contact urticaria has been reported upon exposure to Phenoxethol-containing cosmetics.
Aqueous Phenoxethol solutions are stable and may be sterilized by autoclaving.
The bulk material is also stable and should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.
Phenoxethol is ester alcohol which is used as a preservative in a wide range of cosmetic products.
Phenoxethol are glycol esters which are naturally derived from green tea and are usually synthesized in labs for commercial use.
Phenoxethol is considered to be a preservative which is less irritating and which has a mild fragrance similar to that of a rose.
In cosmetics, Phenoxethol is used as a preservative, as a stabilizer, a solvent and an antimicrobial ingredient.
Phenoxethol is an oily, off-white liquid which is mostly used in major skincare and haircare products.
Phenoxethol does not dissolve in water but is readily soluble in ethanol and alkaline solvents. Phenoxethol is often combined with other antibacterial agents to eradicate all the bacteria that breed on the product.
Because of Phenoxethol's conditioning and moisturizing effect Phenoxethol is used in skincare products such as creams, lotions, facial serums, moisturizers as well as in hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners.
Most of the personal care products that are available in the market contain Phenoxethol as a preservative because of its antibacterial properties.
Most of the cosmetic products that we use today are water-based products and bacteria easily thrives in water, here is when Phenoxethol comes into the picture.
Phenoxethol is extensively used as a preservative in cosmetics and as a stabilizer in perfumes.
Up to 1% is the recommended amount of Phenoxethol in any cosmetic product, above which it is known to be harmful to your health, your skin and hair.
Phenoxethol is used as a preservative in many cosmetic products such as creams, moisturizers, body lotions, shampoos, conditioners, hair colours etc because Phenoxyethanol is considered to be less irritable to the skin as compared to parabens which have lost its valour in the beauty industry.
Moreover, Phenoxethol is an easily accessible alternative to parabens and Phenoxethol does not react with air, light or any other ingredients present in the product formula.
Phenoxethol is considered to be safe on skin and hair when used in trace amounts in the skincare and haircare formula.
Up to 1% is the recommended level for its usage in cosmetic products.
Phenoxethol Chemical Properties
Melting point: 11-13 °C (lit.)
Boiling point: 247 °C (lit.)
Density: 1.102 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
Vapor density: 4.8 (vs air)
Vapor pressure: 0.01 mm Hg ( 20 °C)
Refractive index: n20/D 1.539
FEMA: 4620 | 2-PHENOXYETHANOL
Fp: >230 °F
Storage temp.: Store below +30°C.
Solubility: soluble, clear, colorless to very faintly yellow
Form: Liquid
pka: 14.36±0.10(Predicted)
Specific Gravity: 1.109 (20/4℃)
Color: Clear colorless
PH: 7 (10g/l, H2O, 23℃)
Odor: Faint aromatic odor
PH Range: 7 at 10 g/l at 23 °C
Explosive limit: 1.4-9.0%(V)
Water Solubility: 30 g/L (20 ºC)
Merck: 14,7257
BRN: 1364011
InChIKey: QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
LogP: 1.2 at 23℃
CAS DataBase Reference: 122-99-6(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference: 2-Phenoxyethanol(122-99-6)
EPA Substance Registry System: Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (122-99-6)
Phenoxethol is a colorless, slightly viscous liquid with a faint pleasant odor and burning taste.
Phenoxethol is a tried-and-tested preservative, which is welltolerated by the skin and has a low allergy risk.
Phenoxethol can be used over a wide pH range.
This means that other preservatives can lose their effectiveness if Phenoxethol is not within the right pH range.
Phenoxethol does not smell unpleasant or change the color of the product, which can be the case when using natural antimicrobial substances.
Uses
Phenoxethol has germicidal and germistatic properties.
Phenoxethol is often used together with quaternary ammonium compounds.
Phenoxethol is used as a perfume fixative; an insect repellent; an antiseptic; a solvent for cellulose acetate, dyes, inks, and resins; a preservative for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and lubricants; an anesthetic in fish aquaculture; and in organic synthesis.
Phenoxethol is an alternative to formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
In Japan and the European Union, Phenoxethol's concentration in cosmetics is restricted to 1%.
Phenoxethol is a broad-range preservative with fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, and germicidal properties.
Phenoxethol has a relatively low sensitizing factor in leave-on cosmetics.
Phenoxethol can be used in concentrations of 0.5 to 2.0 percent, and in combination with other preservatives such as sorbic acid or parabens.
In addition, Phenoxethol is used as a solvent for aftershaves, face and hair lotions, shampoos, and skin creams of all types.
Phenoxethol can be obtained from phenol.
Phenoxethol in skin care is used as a preservative.
Although the kind of Phenoxethol used in skin care is synthetic (known as “nature identical,” it mimics the natural version exactly), phenoxyethanol is actually found in nature, specifically in green tea and chicory.
Phenoxethol ensures that yeast, mold, and bacteria don’t develop and ultimately, end up on your skin.
Phenoxethol at a 1.0% level acts as a preservative in personal care products.
Phenoxethol is a preservative used in consumer and health care products, including vaccines, pen inks, ear drops, shampoos, skin cleansers, moisturizers, sun care products, and topical medicaments.
The preservative Euxyl-K 400 also contains Phenoxethol, in combination with methyldibromoglutaronitrile.
Phenoxethol is commonly used in cosmetics for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Phenoxethol is increasingly being used in vaccines as a substitute for thiomersal and is also a component of pen inks and, more rarely, ear drops.
Reactions to Phenoxethol have rarely been reported.
Three cases of CoU induced by Phenoxethol in cosmetics have been reported.
Phenoxethol is used as a single agent and in combination with other preservatives such as 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane (Euxyl K 400) and parabens, or in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds.
The possibility of immunological IgE-mediated reaction could not be confirmed because specific IgE against Phenoxethol was negative.
Antimicrobial preservative; also used topically in treatment of bacterial infections.
Phenoxethol is an antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetics and topical pharmaceutical formulations at a concentration of 0.5–1.0%; Phenoxethol may also be used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent for vaccines.
Therapeutically, a 2.2% solution or 2.0% cream has been used as a disinfectant for superficial wounds, burns, and minor infections of the skin and mucous membranes.
Phenoxethol has a narrow spectrum of activity and is thus frequently used in combination with other preservatives.
Phenoxethol is used as a preservative in cosmetic formulations at a maximum concentration of 1.0%.
Phenoxethol is a broad spectrum preservative which has excellent activity against a wide range of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, yeast and mould.
Phenoxethol is also used as a solvent and, because of its properties as a solvent, it is used in many blends and mixtures with other preservatives.
Phenoxethol is not registered as a food additive in the EU.
Scognamiglio et al. (ref. 105) reported that Phenoxethol is a fragrance ingredient used in many fragrance mixtures (see discussion).
An ester of Phenoxethol, 2-Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate and 2-Phenoxyacetic acid, the main metabolite of 2-Phenoxyethanol, were mentioned in a WHO publication where 43 flavouring agents in food were evaluated (WHO 2003, AR4), however at intakes assessed to be very low in Europe (around 1 µg/kg bw/day).
Contact allergens
Phenoxethol is an aromatic ether-alcohol used mainly as a preservative, mostly with methyldibromoglutaronitrile (in Euxy K 400) or with parabens.
Sensitization to this molecule is very rare.
Health Concerns
Allergen: Skin exposure to Phenoxethol has been linked to allergic reactions ranging from eczema and hives to anaphylaxis.
A 2015 study found that Doppler ultrasound gel mostly caused skin inflammation, but there were rare reports of anaphylaxis, or life-threatening reactions.
Mixtures of Phenoxethol and parabens found in Doppler ultrasound gel may lead to more severe allergic reactions than Phenoxethol alone.
Eczema is also a common allergic reaction to skin exposure of products containing one percent or more Phenoxethol.
Reactions only occur in the area of application and eczema subsides after avoidance of the product causing irritation.
Reactivity Profile
Phenoxethol may react violently with strong oxidizing agents.
May generate flammable and/or toxic gases with alkali metals, nitrides, and other strong reducing agents.
May initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides.
Oxidizes in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously.
May cause moderate eye irritation and moderate corneal injury.
Excessive exposure may cause skin irritation and hemolysis.
Phenoxetholl is combustible.
Synonyms
2-PHENOXYETHANOL
Phenoxyethanol
122-99-6
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
Phenyl cellosolve
Phenoxethol
Phenoxytol
Ethanol, 2-phenoxy-
2-Phenoxyethan-1-Ol
Ethylene glycol phenyl ether
Phenoxetol
Phenoxyethyl alcohol
1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane
Rose ether
Phenylmonoglycol ether
Arosol
Dowanol EP
2-Phenoxyethyl alcohol
Glycol monophenyl ether
2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
Phenylglycol
Fenyl-cellosolve
2-Fenoxyethanol
Dowanol EPH
2-Phenoxy-ethanol
Emery 6705
Emeressence 1160
Fenylcelosolv
beta-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
NSC 1864
MFCD00002857
PHE-G
.beta.-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
NSC-1864
2-phenoxy ethanol
9004-78-8
Phenoxyethanol [NF]
.beta.-Phenoxyethyl alcohol
HIE492ZZ3T
FEMA NO. 4620
CHEBI:64275
NSC1864
Phenoxyethanol (NF)
NCGC00090731-01
NCGC00090731-05
EGMPE
Fenylcelosolv [Czech]
2-Fenoxyethanol [Czech]
Fenyl-cellosolve [Czech]
Plastiazan-41 [Russian]
Plastiazan-41
beta-Phenoxyethanol
CAS-122-99-6
.beta.-Phenoxyethanol
HSDB 5595
PHE-S
EINECS 204-589-7
UNII-HIE492ZZ3T
BRN 1364011
AI3-00752()C
phenylcellosolve
ethyleneglycol monophenyl ether
CCRIS 9481
Ethylene glycol-monophenyl ether
Dalpad A
2-phenyloxyethanol
Newpol EFP
2-(phenoxy)ethanol
beta-Hydroxyphenetole
2-phenoxy-1-ethanol
beta-phenoxyethylalcohol
starbld0047047
2-Phenoxyethanol, 9CI
2-Phenoxyethanol, 99%
WLN: Q2OR
EC 204-589-7
PHENOXYETHANOL [II]
SCHEMBL15708
2-Phenoxyethanol, >=99%
PHENOXYETHANOL [HSDB]
PHENOXYETHANOL [INCI]
4-06-00-00571 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
MLS002174254
Euxyl K 400 (Salt/Mix)
2-PHENOXYETHANOL [MI]
PHENOXYETHANOL [MART.]
PHENOXYETHANOL [USP-RS]
PHENOXYETHANOL [WHO-DD]
2-PHENOXYETHANOL 500ML
CHEMBL1229846
DTXSID9021976
AMY9420
HMS2268A20
NSC1864NSC 1864
HY-B1729
STR04582
ZINC1577061
Tox21_111002
Tox21_113532
Tox21_202111
Tox21_300842
BBL027410
PHENOXYETHANOL [EP MONOGRAPH]
STK802556
2-Phenoxyethanol, analytical standard
Fungal Terminator [veterinary] (TN)
AKOS000118741
Tox21_111002_1
DB11304
NCGC00090731-02
NCGC00090731-03
NCGC00090731-04
NCGC00090731-06
NCGC00090731-07
NCGC00090731-08
NCGC00254745-01
NCGC00259660-01
56257-90-0
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, >=90%
SMR000112131
ETHANOL,2-PHENOXY MFC8 H10 O2
CS-0013737
FT-0613280
P0115
P1953
EN300-19339
2-Phenoxyethanol, tested according to Ph.Eur.
D08359
A805003
Q418038
SR-01000838345
J-510235
SR-01000838345-2
F1905-6997
Z104473570
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, SAJ first grade, >=95.0%
Phenoxyethanol, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Phenoxyethanol, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
2-Phenoxyethanol, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
