Phenoxyethanol
Also known as: 2-phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
A glycol ether used as a preservative in cosmetics, often marketed as a 'safer' alternative to parabens. At regulated concentrations (up to 1%), it is generally well tolerated, but higher concentrations can cause irritation and are toxic to infants.
1 = low concern, 10 = avoid
Risk by Usage Frequency
How risk changes depending on how often you use products containing Phenoxyethanol.
Generally safe at concentrations of 1% or below.
Acceptable for most adults at proper concentrations; monitor for sensitivity.
Cumulative exposure from many products may cause irritation in sensitive skin types.
Health Risks
Can cause skin irritation and eczema flare-ups in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.
Toxic to infants; the FDA issued a warning about its use in a nipple cream product.
FDA Safety Alert, 2008 — Mommy's Bliss nipple cream recall
Global Regulatory Status
How phenoxyethanol is regulated in cosmetics and personal care products around the world.
64% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient
Details
Max 1.0% as preservative (Annex V, entry 29).
Details
Max 1.0% as preservative, mirroring EU.
Details
Max 1.0% under MHLW positive list.
Details
Max 1.0% as preservative.
Details
Max 1.0% per Safety Technical Standards.
Details
Max 1.0% per ANVISA.
Details
Max 1.0%, harmonized with EU.
Why Brands Use Phenoxyethanol
Broad-spectrum preservative effective against gram-negative bacteria; popular paraben-free alternative in clean beauty formulations.
65
products in our database
20
brands use it
3
product categories
Better alternatives exist. Brands choose phenoxyethanol because it's cheap and effective, but safer options like tocopherol (vitamin E), rosemary extract, neem oil deliver similar results without the health concerns.
Phenoxyethanol in Product Categories
Click a category to see every product containing phenoxyethanol in that category, with full ingredient breakdowns.
Products Containing Phenoxyethanol
These popular products list phenoxyethanol in their ingredient labels. Tap any card to see the full ingredient breakdown and safety analysis.
And 53 more products in our database.
The Worst Offender vs Numbrrrz
Here's how the lowest-scoring product containing phenoxyethanol compares to Numbrrrz.
Coppertone Ultra Guard SPF 70
Coppertone
Numbrrrz
Organic Lip Balm
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Safe Alternatives
What Numbrrrz Uses Instead
Numbrrrz uses vitamin E as a natural antioxidant preservative — our simple oil-and-wax formula needs no synthetic preservatives like phenoxyethanol.
FAQ
Is phenoxyethanol safer than parabens?
Why is phenoxyethanol restricted to 1% in Europe?
Is phenoxyethanol safe for babies?
Is phenoxyethanol natural or synthetic?
Can phenoxyethanol cause eczema?
Does Numbrrrz use phenoxyethanol?
See How These Brands Compare to Numbrrrz
Brands that use phenoxyethanol in their products — see how they stack up.
