Phenoxyethanol <ILN99206

TL;DR. This ingredient is a broad-spectrum preservative used mainly to control bacteria in water-containing formulas, with supporting activity against yeast and mold. It is often paired with other preservative boosters for fuller coverage.

What does Phenoxyethanol <ILN99206 do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is a broad-spectrum preservative used mainly to control bacteria in water-containing formulas, with supporting activity against yeast and mold. It is often paired with other preservative boosters for fuller coverage.

Is Phenoxyethanol <ILN99206 clean?

This ingredient is widely accepted in conventional and many clean-beauty standards when used within concentration limits, typically up to 1% in finished products. The main clean-standard friction is irritation potential around the eyes or on very sensitive skin, plus its synthetic origin.

Is Phenoxyethanol <ILN99206 sustainable?

This material is usually synthetically produced from petrochemical feedstocks, although bio-based routes are possible. It is considered readily biodegradable, but it is not a strong fit for brands prioritizing renewable sourcing.

Is Phenoxyethanol <ILN99206 COSMOS-approved?

This ingredient is not permitted under COSMOS-organic or COSMOS-natural standards as a preservative option. From a Green Chemistry view, it has acceptable low-use preservation efficiency and biodegradability, but weaker alignment on renewable feedstock and natural-standard compatibility.

How does Phenoxyethanol <ILN99206 work chemically?

The molecule is an aromatic ether alcohol, which gives it enough polarity for water-phase preservation and enough lipophilicity to interact with microbial membranes. Typical use is about 0.5% to 1.0%, it is generally stable across roughly pH 3 to 10, and it is commonly combined with preservative boosters to improve fungal coverage.

Last updated 2026-05-14