Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is an organic compound classified as a glycol ether and a phenol ether. It is a colorless oily liquid with a faint rose-like aroma. Widely used as an antiseptic and preservative in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, it also serves as a perfume fixative, insect repellent, solvent for cellulose acetate and dyes, anesthetic in fish aquaculture, and stabilizer in soaps. Its primary mechanism of action is antimicrobial activity—effective against various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as yeasts—making it valuable for preventing microbial contamination in products. Phenoxyethanol is considered one of the most well-tolerated preservatives used in cosmetic products[1][3][5][7].

Brand names

Phenyl cellosolve

Other names

phenoxyethanolethylene glycol monophenyl ether2-phenoxyethanolphenyl cellosolve