Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic, pleasant-smelling, clear liquid which is mainly used as a preservative. The substance primarily inhibits the development of microorganisms.

As a preservative it acts in an optimal pH range of 4 to 5, in concentrations up to 1.0 % mainly against bacteria; phenoxyethanol is often combined with parabens.

Phenoxyethanol is mainly used in cosmetic products such as deodorants, skin and hair care products, refreshing tissues, shaving lotions, sunscreens and various make-ups. Medical applications: vaccines, injection solutions, medical ointments. Phenoxyethanol is also used in some so-called "lip plumpers" together with benzyl nicotinates. Furthermore in technical use as cooling lubricants.

Phenoxyethanol is also used in a combination with Metyldibromo glutaronitrile (synonymous with "dibromodicyanobutane") under the trade name Euxyl K 400 for the preservation of cosmetics, personal care products, skin cleansing products, body care products, skin care milk, face and hand creams, Child care creams, used in shower baths, shower gels, washing emulsions, shampoos, in massage oils and emulsions, moist toilet paper, ultrasonic gels and lubricants, but also in the industrial sector (technical emulsions such as cutting oils and drilling solutions, cooling liquids)

About 30 years ago the first cases of contact allergies were described by the mixture Euxyl K 400. Allergic reactions to Euxyl K 400 were observed in 2.1% of the patients tested. In numerous cases, moist toilet paper was also reported as a trigger for contact allergic reactions. Increasingly, cases of occupational hand eczema caused by industrial hand cleansers and skin protection creams are becoming known (Johansen JD et al. 2005).

Contact allergic reactions(contact urticaria) to the monosubstance phenoxyethanol have been described in individual cases, e.g. after application of an aftershave (Lujan D et al.2009).

To clarify a suspicion of a contact allergy, this substance can be routinely tested in an epicutaneous test at the dermatologist (DKG epicutaneous test series "Cooling lubricants").

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) in its latest opinion on preservatives assesses 2-phenoxyethanol as safe up to a maximum concentration of 1.0%.

1. Birnie AJ et al (2006) 2-phenoxyethanol-induced contact urticaria. Contact dermatitis 54:349.
2. Lujan D et al.(2009) Contact urticaria due to phenoxyethanol in an aftershave. Dermatitis 20:E10.
3. Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) (2016) Electronic address: [email protected], Lilienblum W. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) - Final version of the opinion on phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 82:156.
4. Tamura I et al (2013) Ecotoxicity and screening level ecotoxicological risk assessment of five antimicrobial agents: triclosan, triclocarban, resorcinol, phenoxyethanol and p-thymol. J Appl Toxicol 33:1222-1229.
5. Yazar K et al (2010) Preservatives and fragrances in selected consumer-available cosmetics and detergents. Contact Dermatitis 64:265-272.