Phenoxyethanol.\ E-00137\ ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a broad-spectrum preservative used mainly to control bacteria, with supporting activity against some yeasts and molds. It also functions as a solvent or booster in fragrance and preservative systems.
What does Phenoxyethanol.\ E-00137\ do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a broad-spectrum preservative used mainly to control bacteria, with supporting activity against some yeasts and molds. It also functions as a solvent or booster in fragrance and preservative systems.
Is Phenoxyethanol.\ E-00137\ clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is accepted by many conventional clean retailers but still gets scrutiny because it is synthetic and concentration-limited. It is generally well tolerated at standard use levels, though eye-area products and very sensitive skin can show irritation potential.
Is Phenoxyethanol.\ E-00137\ sustainable?
This material is typically made from petrochemical feedstocks rather than renewable plant sources. It is considered readily biodegradable, but its fossil-based origin gives it a weaker sustainability profile than bio-based preservation options.
Is Phenoxyethanol.\ E-00137\ COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards. Its low use level and biodegradability support part of a Green Chemistry case, while petrochemical sourcing and ethoxylation-related manufacturing keep the alignment limited.
How does Phenoxyethanol.\ E-00137\ work chemically?
The molecule is an aromatic ether alcohol, which gives it a useful balance of water compatibility and oil-phase partitioning for preservative performance. It is commonly used up to 1% in finished cosmetics, is most effective below neutral to mildly acidic pH, and is often paired with chelators or co-preservatives to broaden fungal coverage.
Last updated 2026-05-13