Phenoxyethanol is a widely used synthetic preservative in skin care products and also as a stabilizer in perfumes and soaps. It generally has global approval for us in cosmetic products in concentrations up to 1%. It is often used in lower percentages when coupled with another preservative or preservative boosting ingredient such as ethylhexylglycerin.

Phenoxyethanol is very versatile as it’s effective and stable at various pH ranges and has a broad spectrum activity against many pathogens. It is stable and it’s compatible with many other preservatives used in cosmetics.

In late 2019, concerns began to surface regarding some reactions to Phenoxyethanol and some small studies that indicate it can be contaminated with carcinogenic compounds. The allergic reactions and dire warnings are somewhat unfounded, as these issues occur when significantly higher concentrations of phenoxyethanol are present – far above the 1% safe levels used in cosmetics. Regardless, concerns over phenoxyethanol have the cosmetic industry searching for new preservative solutions – though phenoxyethanol is still considered safe – and it’s use is far safer and more preferable to cosmetics growing bacteria or mold.

Phenoxyethanol (Wikipedia)

Phenoxyethanol is the organic compound with the formula C₆H₅OC₂H₄OH. It is a colorless oily liquid. It can be classified as a glycol ether and a phenol ether. It is a common preservative in vaccine formulations.

Phenoxyethanol

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 2-Phenoxyethan-1-ol
Other names Phenoxyethanol Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether Phenoxytolarosol Dowanol EP / EPH Protectol PE Emery 6705 Rose ether 1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethane β-hydroxyethyl phenyl ether Phenyl cellosolve
Identifiers
CAS Number	122-99-6 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:64275 N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1229846 N
ChemSpider	13848467 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.173
PubChem CID	31236
UNII	HIE492ZZ3T Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9021976
InChI InChI=1S/C8H10O2/c9-6-7-10-8-4-2-1-3-5-8/h1-5,9H,6-7H2 Y Key: QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C8H10O2/c9-6-7-10-8-4-2-1-3-5-8/h1-5,9H,6-7H2 Key: QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYAU
SMILES c1ccc(cc1)OCCO
Properties
Chemical formula	C8H10O2
Molar mass	138.166 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless oily liquid
Odor	faint rose-like
Density	1.102 g/cm3
Melting point	−2 °C (28 °F; 271 K)
Boiling point	247 °C (477 °F; 520 K)
Solubility in water	26 g/kg
Solubility	Chloroform, Alkali, diethyl ether: soluble
Solubility in peanut oil	slightly
Solubility in olive oil	slightly
Solubility in acetone	miscible
Solubility in ethanol	miscible
Solubility in glycerol	miscible
Vapor pressure	0.001 kPa (0.00015 psi)
Thermal conductivity	0.169 W/(m⋅K)
Refractive index (nD)	1.534 (20 ℃)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	3 1 0
Flash point	126 °C (259 °F; 399 K)
Autoignition temperature	430 °C (806 °F; 703 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	1850 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds	phenetole
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references