PoreWise Ingredient
Phenoxyethanol
Public databasePHENOXYETHANOL
Phenoxyethanol is a widely used preservative, and one of the replacements for parabens. The EU allows it up to 1.0% when used as a preservative. The strongest evidence comes from an 2016 official legal text covering consumers of cosmetic products, including children: The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded in 2016 that 2-phenoxyethanol is safe as a preservative at a maximum of 1.0%, which is the limit already set in Annex V/29 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. It estimated a margin of safety of about 50 for children. 2016 · Consumers of cosmetic products, including children · DOI 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.11.007 · The dossier behind the conclusion was submitted by Cosmetics Europe, the industry association, and the committee lowered the default toxicokinetic factor from 4.0 to 1.0 on its way to the 1.0% conclusion. The final opinion kept 1.0%. 49 products contain Phenoxyethanol; the highest it appears is number 5 of 13.
- INCI name:
- PHENOXYETHANOL
- CAS number:
- 122-99-6
- Source:
- PubChem
Functions
Products with this ingredient
Phenoxyethanol appears on 49 product ingredient lists, most often around number 17; its highest position is number 5 of 13.
Studies and results
- 1 Legal limitsOpinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) - Final version of the opinion on Phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products
The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded in 2016 that 2-phenoxyethanol is safe as a preservative at a maximum of 1.0%, which is the limit already set in Annex V/29 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. It estimated a margin of safety of about 50 for children.
Official legal text · 2016 · Consumers of cosmetic products, including children · Phenoxyethanol used as a preservative in cosmetic products, at or below 1.0%. · The dossier behind the conclusion was submitted by Cosmetics Europe, the industry association, and the committee lowered the default toxicokinetic factor from 4.0 to 1.0 on its way to the 1.0% conclusion. The final opinion kept 1.0%.
Skin concerns this ingredient has been studied for
The people in each study had that concern.
Common questions
- What does Phenoxyethanol do in skincare?
- Phenoxyethanol is a widely used preservative, and one of the replacements for parabens. The EU allows it up to 1.0% when used as a preservative.
- Where does Phenoxyethanol sit in these formulas?
- Phenoxyethanol appears in 49 products; highest on the list is number 5 of 13, in 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum.
- Which products contain Phenoxyethanol?
- Products that contain Phenoxyethanol: 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum, Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid, Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum, Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum, Salicylic Acid 2% Solution. Plus 43 more.
- How strong is the evidence behind Phenoxyethanol?
- Phenoxyethanol has one study behind it: an 2016 official legal text covering consumers of cosmetic products, including children.
- What did the study on Phenoxyethanol measure?
- 2016 · Consumers of cosmetic products, including children · DOI 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.11.007 · The dossier behind the conclusion was submitted by Cosmetics Europe, the industry association, and the committee lowered the default toxicokinetic factor from 4.0 to 1.0 on its way to the 1.0% conclusion. The final opinion kept 1.0%.