Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol
Also known as: 2-Phenoxyethanol · Phenyl Cellosolve
Preservative
“The most widely used modern preservative — keeps your products safe and stable.”
What it does
Phenoxyethanol is a glycol ether used as a preservative in cosmetics to prevent microbial contamination. It is considered one of the safer preservative options compared to parabens and formaldehyde releasers. At approved concentrations (≤1%), it is well-tolerated by most people.
Benefits
- Prevents bacterial and fungal growth in products
- Broad-spectrum efficacy at low concentrations
- Generally well-tolerated at cosmetic use levels
How to layer
☀️ Morning routine
Cleanser
Toner
Serum
Moisturiser
SPF
🌙 Evening routine
Cleanser
Toner
Serum
Moisturiser
Face Oil
After cleansing, before moisturiser
Good for
All skinNormal skinOily skinCombination skin
Works well with
Heads up
- ⚠Avoid in products used on infants under 3 months (EU advisory)
- ⚠Very rarely causes contact sensitivity in susceptible individuals
- ⚠Not recommended in high concentrations for eczema-prone skin
How to use
Found as a preservative ingredient in most skincare products. No special use needed.
Typical concentration: ≤1% in cosmetic formulations (regulatory limit)