PHENOXYETHANOL
Fragrance Ingredient; Preservative
Also listed as
ETHANOL, 2-PHENOXY-; ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOPHENYL ETHER; 2-HYDROXYETHYL PHENYL ETHER; 2-PHENOXYETHANOL; 2-PHENOXYETHYL ALCOHOL; PHENOXYTOL; 2-PHENOXY- ETHANOL; ETHANOL, 2PHENOXY; 1-HYDROXY-2-PHENOXYETHANE; 2-FENOXYETHANOL (CZECH) ; 2-PHENOXYETHANOL
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
 | Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
 | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
 | Other strong concerns for this ingredient: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards |
| Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Data gaps |
|
See products containing PHENOXYETHANOL | |
About PHENOXYETHANOL: Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol.
PHENOXYETHANOL has reported used in the following product types: facial moisturizer/treatment (1634); moisturizer (1145); anti-aging (1039); foundation (736); facial cleanser (646); mascara (640); sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (513); sunscreen: makeup (469); body wash/cleanser (425); conditioner (410)
Violations, restrictions & warnings
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit) | Japan's Standards for Cosmetics |
Occupational hazards
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986 |
| show more | ||
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity | Heidary N, Cohen DE, 2005 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Classified as irritant | European Union - Classification & Labelling | |
| show more | ||
Neurotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1941 | |
| show more | ||
Endocrine disruption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1990 | |
| show more | ||
Cancer
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Microbios 1980 |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| 103 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results -> | PubMed |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be persistent | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | 2-PHENOXYETHANOL | •Harmful •Harmful if swallowed •Irritant (eyes, skin, or lungs) •Irritating to eyes |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | PHENOXYETHANOL | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | ETHANOL, 2-PHENOXY- | •This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for as a low human health priority. |
| Japan's Standards for Cosmetics | PHENOXYETHANOL | •Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit) |
| Heidary N, Cohen DE, 2005 | 2-PHENOXYETHANOL | Phenoxyethanol is linked to allergic contact uritica and dermatitis. |
| RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1941 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • brain and nervous system - General anesthetic (rat LD50) • gastrointestinal - Other changes (rat LD50) |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1990 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • endocrine system - Death in the "U" data type field (rat TDLo) • metabolic - Weight loss or decreased weight gain (rat TDLo) • kidney or renal system - Changes in bladder weight (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1990 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • respiratory - Acute pulmonary edema (rat LD50) |
| RTECS®- Microbios 1980 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Inhibition (Escherichia coli ) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: other mutation test systems (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- Microbios 1980 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: DNA Inhibition (Escherichia coli ) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: other mutation test systems (Escherichia coli ) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 1470 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • endocrine system - Death in the "U" data type field (rat TDLo) • gastrointestinal - Alteration in gastric secretion (rat TDLo) • blood - Other changes (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toksikologicheskii Vestnik 1996 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • brain and nervous system - Other degenerative changes (mouse LD50) |
| RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1958 | PHENOXYETHANOL | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP. |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| Japan's Standards for Cosmetics | Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 2006. Standards for Cosmetics. Evaluation and Licensing Division. Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau. |
| Open scientific literature | Heidary N, Cohen DE. Hypersensitivity reactions to vaccine components. Dermatitis. 2005 Sep;16(3):115-20. |
| RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J 1986 | RTECS®- "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J., Prague, Czechoslovakia, Avicenum, 1986 -,637,1986 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1941 | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. (Cambridge, MA) V.18-31, 1936-49. For publisher information, see AEHLAU. 23,259,1941 |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1990 | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 9(2),259,1990 |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1990 | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 9,259,1990 |
| RTECS®- Microbios 1980 | RTECS®- Microbios. (Faculty Press, 88 Regent St., Cambridge, UK) V.1- 1969- 28,7,1980 |
| RTECS®- Microbios 1980 | RTECS®- Microbios. (Faculty Press, 88 Regent St., Cambridge, UK) V.1- 28,7,1980 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 1470 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0531470 |
| RTECS®- Toksikologicheskii Vestnik 1996 | RTECS®- Toksikologicheskii Vestnik. (18-20 Vadkovskii per. Moscow, 101479, Russia) History Unknown (3),37,1996 |
| RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet 1958 | RTECS®- Union Carbide Data Sheet. (Union Carbide Corp., 39 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury, CT 06817) 6/24/1958 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Favorites basket
No items in basket.
Skin Deep User Tools BETA
Looking for a product report that we don't have in Skin Deep? Sign up to enter it into the Skin Deep database and leave product reviews.
SKIN DEEP NEEDS YOUR HELP
We always want Skin Deep to be free to the public, but delivering high-quality research costs time and money. Help by donating just the cost of a bar of soap or bottle of shampoo.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Stay informed with email updates on toxics in everyday products and how they can affect your health.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN
Find out more about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.