Phenoxyethanol: What It Is, What It Does, and Is It Safe?

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative, and preservatives get a lot of questions. Here is a calm, plain look at what it does, why creams need one and what the safety reviews found.

What is phenoxyethanol?

Phenoxyethanol, also called 2-phenoxyethanol, is a preservative (an ingredient that keeps germs from growing in a product). It has been widely used in cosmetics for decades (Dréno et al., 2019).

On a label it is written "Phenoxyethanol," its INCI name (the standard name used on cosmetic ingredient lists).

What does phenoxyethanol do in a cream?

Microorganisms (germs such as bacteria and mold) can get into cosmetics. The FDA lists an ineffective preservative system as one of the ways cosmetics become contaminated, and describes preservatives as ingredients intended to keep microorganisms from growing (FDA, Microbiological Safety and Cosmetics).

Phenoxyethanol works against a wide range of germs, including many kinds of bacteria and yeasts. It has only a weak effect on the helpful germs that normally live on your skin (Dréno et al., 2019).

Is phenoxyethanol safe?

The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety considers phenoxyethanol safe for all consumers, including children of all ages, when used as a preservative at up to 1 percent (Dréno et al., 2019).

Harmful effects have been seen in animal studies, but only at exposures around 200 times higher than what people get from using cosmetics that contain it (Dréno et al., 2019).

Despite how widely it is used, phenoxyethanol rarely causes skin allergies. A 2019 safety review called it one of the most well-tolerated preservatives used in cosmetics (Dréno et al., 2019).

How to spot phenoxyethanol on a label

Look for "Phenoxyethanol" or "2-Phenoxyethanol" (Dréno et al., 2019). In the U.S., cosmetic ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance, so the ingredient with the most is listed first (FDA Cosmetics Labeling Guide).

Phenoxyethanol is on the Corium 21 label as a preservative. You can see every ingredient on our Corium 21 ingredient list. If you are sorting through label terms like "fragrance free," read fragrance free vs. unscented.

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FAQ

Is phenoxyethanol safe in skin care?

The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety considers it safe for all consumers, including children, at up to 1 percent as a preservative, and it rarely causes skin allergies (Dréno et al., 2019).

Why do creams need a preservative?

Preservatives are meant to keep microorganisms from growing in a product, and the FDA names a weak preservative system as one cause of contaminated cosmetics (FDA, Microbiological Safety and Cosmetics).

Does phenoxyethanol harm the good bacteria on skin?

It has only a weak effect on the germs that normally live on skin (Dréno et al., 2019).