Phenoxyethanol[1] ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a preservative used to protect water-containing formulas from microbial growth, especially bacteria. It is often paired with other preservative boosters to improve yeast and mold coverage.
What does Phenoxyethanol[1] do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a preservative used to protect water-containing formulas from microbial growth, especially bacteria. It is often paired with other preservative boosters to improve yeast and mold coverage.
Is Phenoxyethanol[1] clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is broadly accepted but often capped at low levels, typically 1%, and some retailer standards flag it because it is synthetic and can bother very sensitive skin. It is not a high-allergen material, but it sits in the yellow tier because standards vary.
Is Phenoxyethanol[1] sustainable?
This material is commonly made from petrochemical feedstocks, although bio-based routes are possible. It is considered readily biodegradable and is not known for strong bioaccumulation, so the main sustainability caveat is feedstock origin rather than persistence.
Is Phenoxyethanol[1] COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted in COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic certified products, which limits its alignment with that framework. From a Green Chemistry view, it earns partial credit for effectiveness at low levels and biodegradability, but loses ground for synthetic petrochemical sourcing.
How does Phenoxyethanol[1] work chemically?
The molecule is an aromatic ether alcohol, which gives it enough oil-water balance to partition into microbial membranes while remaining usable in aqueous emulsions. Typical use is about 0.5% to 1.0%, with broad pH compatibility and good heat stability, and it is often combined with glycols, organic acids, or chelators for broader preservation.
Last updated 2026-05-13