Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a widely used preservative designed to help protect cosmetic and personal care formulations from microbial growth. It supports product safety and shelf life in a wide range of leave-on and rinse-off products, including creams, cleansers, gels and sprays.

INCI Name:
Phenoxyethanol

CAS Number:
122-99-6

Appearance:
Clear, colourless to pale straw liquid

Odour:
Mild characteristic odour

Origin:
Synthetic

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

pH (1% Solution @ 20°C): ~7.0

Solubility:
• Dispersible in emulsions
• Soluble in ethyl alcohol
• ~2% soluble in water

Stability:
Stable to hydrolysis; Suitable for high temperature processing up to ~80°C

pH Range of Use:
Suitable in finished products with pH up to 12

FUNCTION & PERFORMANCE

Phenoxyethanol is a broad-spectrum preservative used to help prevent microbial growth (bacteria, yeasts, mould) in cosmetic and personal care products. It is widely utilised due to its compatibility with a broad range of ingredients and formulations.

Features
• Non-formaldehyde-releasing preservative
• Suitable for both leave-on and rinse-off products
• Heat-stable for manufacturing
• Effective across a wide pH range
• Globally approved for cosmetic use

APPLICATION & USE LEVEL

Typical Use Level:
Up to 1% of total formulation

Typical Applications:
• Creams and lotions
• Serums and gels
• Cleansers and face washes
• Sprays and toners
• Emulsions and aqueous systems

SAFETY & FORMULATION NOTES

Phenoxyethanol is a slow-acting preservative. It may take up to 48 hours after incorporation for full antimicrobial activity in a formula.

Caution in High-Risk Formulations:
Products with high water content or containing botanical extracts, exfoliants, clays, proteins, peptides, milk derivatives, etc., may require a second, faster-acting preservative or preservative booster to ensure broad protection.

Preservative effectiveness cannot be assumed — always validate with microbiological testing (e.g., Preservative Efficacy Test / PET) to meet safety and regulatory requirements.

REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE

Phenoxyethanol is widely permitted for cosmetic use in most global markets when used within recommended limits.

Regulations on maximum allowable concentration may vary by region — always check relevant regulatory guidelines for your market.

At Wickii, we deliver Australia-wide, with shipping typically ranging from overnight to a maximum of 7 working days from our warehouse departure date. Please be aware that certain payment methods, such as BPAY, Direct Deposits, and occasionally PayPal, may take 1 to 3 days for funds to process, thus affecting order processing times.

At Wickii, we prioritise your satisfaction. If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us within 30 days for a prompt refund or replacement. For any queries or issues with your purchase, our Customer Experience Team is here to help you, email: hello@wickii.com.au.

For more information please refer to our Shipping & Returns policy