Phenoxyethanol: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: July 1, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Phenoxyethanol?

Phenoxyethanol, also known as 2-phenoxyethanol, is a clear oily liquid created by reacting phenol with ethylene oxide. While small amounts occur naturally in green tea and some fermented foods, the form used in cosmetics is almost always made in a lab for consistent purity and safety. Chemists introduced it to personal care formulas in the 1950s as a reliable option to help keep products fresh when concerns grew over older preservatives such as formaldehyde donors.

Today it appears in a wide range of items including facial cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sheet masks, sunscreens, anti aging creams, makeup removers, baby wipes, shampoos, conditioners and perfumes.

Phenoxyethanol’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

Below is a quick look at why formulators add phenoxyethanol to beauty products.

  • Antimicrobial: It controls the growth of bacteria yeast and mold which helps stop products from spoiling before you finish the bottle and lowers the risk of skin irritation caused by contaminated formulas
  • Preservative: By extending shelf life it allows brands to use lighter packaging store goods at room temperature and reduce the need for heavy fragrance or alcohol that were once relied on to mask spoilage odors

Who Can Use Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is generally considered safe for most skin types including normal, oily, dry and combination skin. Sensitive or eczema-prone users usually tolerate the low levels found in finished products but anyone with a known allergy to preservatives in the glycol ether family should approach with caution and speak with a dermatologist before use.

The ingredient is synthetically produced without animal by-products so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Current safety reviews state that products containing up to 1 percent phenoxyethanol are acceptable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is not medical advice. Expectant or nursing mothers should show the product label to their healthcare provider to be extra sure it fits their personal needs.

Phenoxyethanol does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and does not need to be paired with extra sun protection beyond your regular SPF.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Responses to phenoxyethanol vary from person to person. The points below describe potential side effects. When the ingredient is used at the low levels allowed in cosmetics most people will not notice any problems.

  • Redness or mild stinging especially on freshly exfoliated or broken skin
  • Contact dermatitis in users with a specific preservative allergy
  • Itchy rash or hives in rare cases of true sensitivity
  • Eye irritation if a product accidentally gets into the eyes
  • In very young infants high levels can affect the nervous system which is why baby products follow stricter limits

If you experience any of the above stop using the product immediately and seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 0 / 5 (non-comedogenic)

Phenoxyethanol is a lightweight glycol ether that evaporates or dilutes within the water phase of a formula rather than sitting on the skin’s surface. It contains no oils, waxes or fatty acids that can block pores, so it receives a comedogenic score of zero. This makes it suitable for people who are prone to acne or breakouts.

No data suggest that phenoxyethanol worsens blackheads or contributes to sebaceous buildup, and it is used at very low concentrations—typically 0.5 % to 1 %—well below levels that could create an occlusive film.

Summary

Phenoxyethanol serves two main roles: it keeps skincare and makeup formulas free from harmful microbes and extends a product’s shelf life so it stays effective and pleasant to use. It does this by disrupting bacterial cell walls and preventing yeast or mold from multiplying even at low concentrations.

Thanks to these abilities and the reduced consumer appetite for parabens, phenoxyethanol has become one of the most common preservatives found in cleansers, serums, sunscreens and baby wipes worldwide.

At or below the industry standard of 1 % it is considered safe for the vast majority of users including sensitive skin and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, though rare allergies can occur. As with any new product do a quick patch test on a small area first to make sure your skin agrees with it.

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