2-Phenoxyethanol (Cosmetic Grade)
Broad-spectrum Antimicrobial Activity: Effectively inhibits bacteria, yeast, and mold, making it a cornerstone preservative for cosmetics and personal care items.
Favorable Safety Profile: Low systemic toxicity and minimal skin irritation, compatible with topical and injectable uses, with ideal dermal absorption properties.
Regulatory Preferred Choice: A safer alternative to parabens, eliminating endocrine disruption worries while ensuring effective preservation.
Wide-ranging Applications: Used in pharmaceuticals and vaccines to boost shelf stability and prevent microbial contamination, beyond cosmetic use.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a glycol ether widely used in dermatological and cosmetic products, including creams, lotions, and sunscreens. This colorless, viscous liquid has strong bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties, serving as an efficient preservative for personal care goods. Its antimicrobial performance is often boosted by combining it with quaternary ammonium compounds for a synergistic effect
2-Phenoxyethanol Chemical Properties
| Melting point | 11-13 °C (lit.) | |
| Boiling point | 247 °C (lit.) | |
| density | 1.102 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) | |
| vapor density | 4.8 (vs air) | |
| vapor pressure | 0.01 mm Hg (20 °C) | |
| refractive index | n20/D 1.539 | |
| FEMA | 4620 | 2-PHENOXYETHANOL |
| Fp | >230 °F | |
| storage temp. | Store below +30°C | |
| solubility | soluble, clear, colorless to very faintly yellow | |
| pka | 14.36±0.10 (Predicted) | |
| form | Liquid | |
| color | Clear colorless | |
| Specific Gravity | 1.109 (20/4°C) | |
| Odor | Faint aromatic odor | |
| PH Range | 7 at 10 g/l at 23 °C | |
| PH | 7 (10g/l, H₂O, 23°C) | |
| explosive limit | 1.4-9.0%(V) | |
| Odor Type | floral | |
| Water Solubility | 30 g/L (20 °C) | |
| Merck | 14,7257 | |
| BRN | 1364011 | |
| InChIKey | QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N | |
| LogP | 1.2 at 23°C | |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 122-99-6 (CAS DataBase Reference) | |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | 2-Phenoxyethanol (122-99-6) | |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (122-99-6) |
Safety Information
| Hazard Codes | Xn,Xi |
| Risk Statements | 22-36-R36-R22 |
| Safety Statements | 26-S26 |
| WGK Germany | 1 |
| RTECS | KM0350000 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 535 °C DIN 51794 |
| Hazard Note | Irritant |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HS Code | 29094990 |
| Hazardous Substances Data | 122-99-6(Hazardous Substances Data) |
| Toxicity | LD50 orally in Rabbit: 1850 mg/kg; LD50 dermal Rabbit > 2000 mg/kg |
Apart from uses in personal care items, this chemical also acts as a highly efficient preservative in biological and pharmaceutical products including vaccines and injection solutions. It suppresses the growth of microorganisms and helps prolong the storage life of these preparations. Its favorable toxicological profile, featuring low irritation and controlled skin absorption, makes it suitable for both external skin applications and injectable dosage forms. As a practical replacement for parabens, it answers growing regulatory worries about potential endocrine-interfering effects. Worldwide safety guidelines usually cap its content in cosmetics at 1.0%, which ensures product safety without compromising its preservative performance.
