What Is Phenoxyethanol?
The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety describes 2-phenoxyethanol as a broad spectrum preservative with activity against a wide range of bacteria, yeast and mold, used in cosmetics at a maximum concentration of 1.0 percent and also used as a solvent in blends with other preservatives. It cites a report that phenoxyethanol is also a fragrance ingredient that may be found in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents.
In the EU, the committee says, phenoxyethanol is regulated as a preservative in Annex V of the Cosmetics Regulation and authorized at a maximum concentration of 1.0 percent.
In its October 2016 opinion, the SCCS said it considers 2-phenoxyethanol safe for use as a preservative at a maximum concentration of 1.0 percent, taking into account the information provided, and noted that the opinion does not take into account exposure from sources other than cosmetics.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceThe SCCS describes 2-phenoxyethanol as a broad spectrum preservative used in cosmetics at up to 1.0 percent, active against a wide range of bacteria, yeast and mould, and also used as a solvent. EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety ↗
- Regulatory filingThe SCCS says phenoxyethanol is regulated as a preservative in Annex V of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and authorized at a maximum concentration of 1.0 percent. EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety ↗
- Government sourceIn October 2016 the SCCS said it considers 2-phenoxyethanol safe for use as a preservative with a maximum concentration of 1.0 percent, taking into account the information provided. EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety ↗
- Government sourceThe SCCS opinion cites a report that 2-phenoxyethanol is a fragrance ingredient that may be found in cosmetics and in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents. EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety ↗
- Government sourceThe SCCS notes that its phenoxyethanol opinion does not take into account exposure from sources other than cosmetics. EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.