Common Name(s): 2-phenoxyethanol,ethylene glycol monophenyl ether,phenoxetol

CAS Number: 122-99-6

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides broad-spectrum preservation as the most widely used cosmetic preservative globally.

Why It's Used: The global preservative standard — phenoxyethanol replaced parabens as the dominant cosmetic preservative and is now the most commonly used cosmetic preservative worldwide.

How It Works: Glycol ether provides antimicrobial via bacterial membrane disruption. broad spectrum vs bacteria, candida, moulds. ph-stable (ph 3-10). compatible with most cosmetic ingredients. lower sensitisation potential than parabens. eu and us approved.

Typically Found In: Virtually all preserved cosmetics — extremely widespread

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–1%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required

Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Eu max 1%. sccs assessed safe at 1%. not for use around infant nappy area (cosing restriction). ewg score: 1-4 depending on concentration. safe at typical use levels — concerns overstated in some consumer communications.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Phenoxyethanol's ascendance as dominant preservative followed the consumer paraben concern (despite science supporting paraben safety): the cosmetics industry's rapid adoption of phenoxyethanol demonstrates how consumer perception can drive ingredient reformulation even without regulatory compulsion, reshaping global preservative markets based on perceived rather than demonstrated risk differences.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,sccs phenoxyethanol opinion,cir safety assessment