A preservative used to help protect cosmetics from microbial contamination.
Sources: 12-Phenoxyethanol
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Phenoxyethanol
What it does
Supports a product's preservation system; it is not included to treat a skin condition.
Sources: 1Good for
- Formula preservation
How to use it
Use only within an appropriately formulated finished product. Preservatives are not a separate skincare application or a home treatment for infection.
Sources: 1Who should be careful
Irritation or contact allergy can occur. People with a diagnosed reaction should review the full label with professional guidance.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Antimicrobial activity depends on exposure and combination with the rest of the formula.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
Irritation or allergic contact dermatitis may occur in susceptible users; inadequate preservation also carries risks.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
Regional limits and the complete preservative system must be assessed; a source safety opinion is not a substitute for finished-product testing.
Sources: 1Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
European Union
SCCS phenoxyethanol safety opinion
The opinion evaluates preservative use under specified exposure conditions. Check the applicable current concentration limit and product requirements.
Sources: 1Names on ingredient lists
phenoxyethanol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 31236 | PubChem compound 31236: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C8H10O2 | PubChem compound 31236: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 138.16 g/mol | PubChem compound 31236: chemical identity |
| iupac name | 2-phenoxyethanol | PubChem compound 31236: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- SCCS: Phenoxyethanol safety opinionscientific opinion
- PubChem compound 31236: chemical identitychemical identity
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