PHENOXYETHANOL
Appears in 2 scanned products.
An ether alcohol used widely as a preservative, occurring in trace amounts in nature (green tea, for instance) but produced synthetically for cosmetic use.
Why it’s used
Prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold in water-containing formulas, extending shelf life and protecting the product and the user from contamination.
What the evidence says
The SCCS and CIR consider phenoxyethanol safe at concentrations up to 1 percent, the limit set in the EU and widely followed elsewhere. Concerns raised in some consumer discourse about infant exposure stemmed from a 2008 French health agency caution for products used on the diaper area of infants; subsequent reviews, including by the SCCS, reaffirmed the 1 percent limit as safe across ages.
Context
The 1 percent concentration cap is the key context: safety assessments are tied to that limit, and it applies in both rinse-off and leave-on products.
Educational information, not medical or safety advice. Consult a professional for allergies or medical concerns.