Is Phenoxyethanol Safe? What You Should Know Before Using It

Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative used in cosmetic and baby products. But is it safe?

The short answer is: Phenoxyethanol is allowed in cosmetics at concentrations up to 1%.

However, there are some concerns you should know about before using products with this ingredient.

In this post, I will explain what phenoxyethanol is, its potential concerns, if it is safe for skin, babies, and pregnancy, and why I avoid it, especially in baby products and eye-area products.

Let’s take a clear, balanced look.

What Is Phenoxyethanol?

To begin with, phenoxyethanol is a colorless, oily, aromatic solvent and preservative with a faint rose-like odor. It is also known as 2-phenoxyethanol or ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (CAS 122-99-6).

Phenoxyethanol is derived from two chemicals – highly corrosive phenol and carcinogenic ethylene oxide.

Because chemical reactions are rarely 100% complete, tiny amounts of the original substances can sometimes remain in the final product.

According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel report, cosmetic grade phenoxyethanol is normally 98% pure. This is because it may contain trace amounts of carcinogenic ethylene oxide and unreacted phenol. 

By the way, phenol in all forms and even highly diluted solutions (1% to 2%) may cause irritation, especially to sensitive skin (source).

What Does Phenoxyethanol Do?

At its core, phenoxyethanol is a synthetic, broad-spectrum preservative. It is effective at protecting a water-based product from yeast, mold, bacteria, and fungi (source).

Without a sufficient preservation system, water-based skin care would spoil quickly, which could lead to infections, skin reactions or worse (source, source, and source).

Phenoxyethanol in skin care became popular after many brands moved away from parabens. Today, it is one of the most common alternatives in “paraben-free” products.

Oftentimes, it is used in combination with ethylhexylglycerin, a “booster” ingredient that helps it work better. Specifically, working together, phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin improve protection against germs in products like cosmetics and may reduce the chance of skin irritation (source).

How Much Phenoxyethanol Is Safe?

On the one hand, per the EU SCCS opinion, phenoxyethanol is safe up to 1% in cosmetics (source).

On the other hand, the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) recommends lowering the maximum concentration to 0.4% in products for children under three. Moreover, it suggests avoiding it entirely in wipes and products used in the diaper area (source).

These differences between regulatory agencies show that while phenoxyethanol is generally considered safe for adults, added caution is advised for young children.

In addition, most people use several products daily — cleanser, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup. Each one may be within limits, but cumulative exposure may potentially be higher.

Therefore, I believe minimizing unnecessary exposure is wise, especially for sensitive individuals and children.

Is Phenoxyethanol Safe For Skin?

Some people report skin reaction issues. The American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) considers phenoxyethanol a core allergen in some concentrations and recommends patch testing (source).

Thankfully, however, the overall rate of sensitization is low when used in low concentrations. In fact, a large surveillance study tested 6,932 people at a 1% concentration. Only 0.24% showed skin reaction. The authors concluded that phenoxyethanol at that concentration could be considered a rare allergen (source).

With that said, skin around the eyes is thin and delicate and may react more severely than other areas. Plus, products applied there can migrate into the eyes. Some studies show phenoxyethanol may kill the cells in the meibomian glands that are important for keeping the eyes healthy and protected (source and source). (Learn more in my blog post on  Waterproof Mascara.)

Furthermore, as I said before, the exposure can be greater as so many daily products contain phenoxyethanol. 

Is Phenoxyethanol Safe For Babies?

Extra caution for young children is recommended.

Thus, while the EU considers phenoxyethanol safe in cosmetics up to 1%, French authorities recommend limiting it to 0.4% for children under three and avoiding it in diaper-area products (source and source).

First, some people with sensitive skin report redness, stinging, or mild contact dermatitis. This is more likely when the skin barrier is already compromised.

Second, babies are more vulnerable than adults. Infant skin is thinner and absorbs substances more easily. Babies also have a higher surface-area-to-body-weight ratio. Because of this, phenoxyethanol for baby skin can increase the potential for unwanted effects.

Third, avoid using products with phenoxyethanol that can be ingested. In fact, in 2008, the FDA warned consumers not to use Mommy’s Bliss Nipple cream because it contained phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin. Allegedly, both ingredients may have caused the central nervous system depression leading to vomiting and diarrhea in breast-fed infants. The Mommy’s Bliss Nipple cream was soon recalled (source).

For these reasons, I do not recommend phenoxyethanol in baby wipes and other products including lotions and diaper creams. (Use my Baby Wipes Rating List to find phenoxyethanol-free wet wipes.)

Is Phenoxyethanol Safe For Pregnancy?

For starters, it is not classified as a potential endocrine disruptor, mutagen or carcinogen (source).

Next, I believe this cosmetic preservative is safer than some other preservatives like parabens, benzisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, and formaldehyde releasing preservatives. (See my post Hidden Ingredients In Cosmetics.)

Nevertheless, pregnant women experience hormonal shifts and immune system changes. While allergies do not necessarily increase in risk, they can be more challenging to manage due to medication limitations (source).

Hence, since there have been reports of allergic reactions to phenoxyethanol, I would limit exposure to products formulated with this ingredient during pregnancy. (For other substances to avoid, refer to my Helpful List of Chemicals to Avoid During Pregnancy.)

Final Takeaway: Is Phenoxyethanol Non-Toxic?

Phenoxyethanol is allowed in cosmetics up to 1%. For most healthy adults, it is considered low risk at that level.

However, it can irritate sensitive skin and may have trace amounts of phenol and ethylene oxide. For those reasons, I do not recommend this ingredient, especially in baby products and products used around the eyes. Hence, you won’t find any products with phenoxyethanol in the shop section of my website.

Nevertheless, phenoxyethanol skincare safety is not black and white. It depends on who is using the product and where it is applied.

For a broader overview of how this ingredient functions in cosmetics, read my post on Phenoxyethanol In Beauty Products: What It Does And Why Brands Use It.

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FAQs About Phenoxyethanol

Is phenoxyethanol natural or synthetic?

Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative.

What is phenoxyethanol made from?

From phenol and ethylene oxide.

Is phenoxyethanol bad for skin?

It is considered a rare allergen.

What are phenoxyethanol side effects?

Some people with sensitive – or compromised – skin report redness, stinging, or mild contact dermatitis.

What are some of the safer phenoxyethanol substitutes?

Lactobacillus/radish root ferment filtrate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, ethylhexylglycerin, and caprylhydroxamic acid.