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Phenoxyethanol Preservative

$15.00
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Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used cosmetic preservatives in the world — a clear, nearly colourless glycol ether with proven broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, and mould. It is paraben-free, non-formaldehyde-releasing, stable across an exceptionally wide pH range (effective to pH 12), and heat stable to 80°C — making it one of the most formulation-flexible single-ingredient preservatives available to Australian cosmetic formulators.

Found in thousands of commercial cosmetic formulations globally — from premium facial serums and luxury body lotions to mass-market shampoos and baby washes — Phenoxyethanol has earned its position as the benchmark cosmetic preservative for clean beauty formulation. It is globally approved for cosmetic use across all major markets including Australia, the EU, the USA, Japan, and China, at a maximum concentration of 1% in finished products.

Our Phenoxyethanol is synthetic cosmetic grade — produced to strict purity standards to ensure consistency, safety, and predictable performance across your formulations. Suitable for rinse-off and leave-on applications, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, surfactant-based systems, gels, and aqueous formulations.

One critical formulation consideration that many new formulators overlook: Phenoxyethanol is a slow-acting preservative. It can take up to 48 hours to reach full efficacy in a formulation. This means that in high-risk formulations — those with high water content, biological actives, herbal extracts, clays, or exfoliant particles — the window between making the product and full preservative efficacy can be long enough for microbial contamination to establish itself before the phenoxyethanol can control it. For these formulations, blending with a faster-acting co-preservative is strongly recommended. Full guidance is provided below.

HOW IT WORKS — THE MECHANISM

Phenoxyethanol is a glycol ether that acts primarily by disrupting microbial cell membranes. Its mechanism involves:

Membrane disruption: Phenoxyethanol is lipophilic enough to partition into the lipid bilayer of microbial cell membranes. Once embedded, it disrupts the structural integrity of the membrane, causing leakage of intracellular contents, loss of membrane potential, and ultimately cell death or growth inhibition.

Metabolic interference: At sub-lethal concentrations, phenoxyethanol also interferes with cellular metabolic processes — particularly those involved in bacterial glucose metabolism — which contributes to its bacteriostatic (growth-inhibiting) activity even before bactericidal concentrations are reached.

Broad-spectrum activity: The membrane disruption mechanism is effective across a wide range of organisms including gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli), yeast (Candida albicans), and mould — making it a genuinely broad-spectrum single-ingredient preservative.

Slow onset — why it matters: Unlike some preservatives that act rapidly through direct chemical reactions (such as formaldehyde-releasing agents), phenoxyethanol's membrane-disruption mechanism requires time to partition into microbial membranes and accumulate to sufficient concentrations. This process can take up to 48 hours in complex aqueous formulations. During this window, a heavily contaminated or high-water-activity formulation can potentially develop significant microbial load before the phenoxyethanol reaches full efficacy. See the high-risk formulation guidance below for how to address this.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES BY FORMULATION TYPE

Face creams and facial moisturisers (O/W emulsions)

  • Rate: 0.75–1.0%
  • Notes: Standard leave-on application; add to oil phase or at cool-down; well-tolerated in facial formulations; the gold standard rate is 1% for reliable efficacy

Body lotions (O/W emulsions)

  • Rate: 0.75–1.0%
  • Notes: Large surface area application warrants use at the higher end; 1% widely used in commercial body lotions

Water-in-oil creams

  • Rate: 0.75–1.0%
  • Notes: In W/O emulsions, phenoxyethanol partitions preferentially into the water phase where microbial growth occurs; ensure even distribution

Facial serums and toners (water-based)

  • Rate: 0.5–1.0%
  • Notes: High water activity serums should use 0.75–1.0%; consider blending with a co-preservative for high-risk ingredient serums (botanical extracts, peptides, ferments)

Shampoos

  • Rate: 0.75–1.0%
  • Notes: Effective in anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactant systems; stable across shampoo pH range 5.0–6.5

Conditioners

  • Rate: 0.75–1.0%
  • Notes: Wide pH stability (to pH 12) makes phenoxyethanol ideal for higher-pH conditioners without pH adjustment concerns

Body washes and facial cleansers

  • Rate: 0.75–1.0%
  • Notes: Rinse-off application; effective in surfactant-rich environments

Gels (carbomer, xanthan)

  • Rate: 0.5–1.0%
  • Notes: pH stability to 12 makes phenoxyethanol suitable across the full carbomer gel pH range without concern; no pH limitation

Baby products

  • Rate: 0.4–1.0%
  • Notes: EU Cosmetics Regulation restricts phenoxyethanol in products for children under 3 applied to the nappy area (maximum 0.4%); for general baby rinse-off products up to 1% is permitted; check current TGA and target market regulations

Leave-on hair products

  • Rate: 0.75–1.0%

High-risk formulations (see detailed guidance below)

  • Rate: 0.5–1.0% phenoxyethanol + co-preservative
  • Notes: Blending with a faster-acting co-preservative is strongly recommended

CRITICAL GUIDANCE — HIGH-RISK FORMULATIONS AND SLOW ONSET

What is a high-risk formulation?

A high-risk formulation is any water-containing cosmetic that has one or more factors that increase the likelihood or speed of microbial growth:

  • High water content (above 70% water phase)
  • Biological material: peptides, milk proteins, honey, yoghurt, fermented ingredients
  • Herbal extracts, botanical infusions, plant waters, hydrosols at high percentages
  • Clays and muds (naturally contain microorganisms)
  • Exfoliant particles (physical scrubs — particles can harbour bacteria)
  • Fruit or vegetable-derived actives
  • Contaminated raw materials introduced during manufacturing

Why slow onset matters in high-risk formulations:

Phenoxyethanol can take up to 48 hours to achieve full preservative efficacy in an aqueous formulation. During this 48-hour window, a high-risk formulation can theoretically undergo significant microbial proliferation — particularly if manufacturing hygiene is imperfect or if a heavily contaminated ingredient is introduced. By the time phenoxyethanol reaches full efficacy, the microbial load may have grown to a level the preservative cannot overcome.

The recommended solution — blending with a co-preservative:

For high-risk formulations, blend phenoxyethanol with a second, faster-acting preservative that provides immediate antimicrobial activity while the phenoxyethanol builds to full efficacy over 48 hours. Effective co-preservative partners include:

  • Potassium Sorbate / Sorbic Acid: Broad antifungal with rapid onset; blend at 0.2–0.5% potassium sorbate with 0.5–0.8% phenoxyethanol; note pH constraint (most effective below pH 6.5)
  • Glyceryl Caprylate: Naturally-derived multifunctional preservative booster with rapid membrane disruption; blend at 0.5–1.0%; adds skin conditioning benefit
  • Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate: Fast-acting broad-spectrum preservative; blend at 0.1–0.2%; note — this is a formaldehyde-releasing agent; check clean beauty positioning
  • Piroctone Olamine: Particularly effective anti-yeast and anti-dandruff active with preservative boosting properties; excellent in hair products at 0.05–0.1%
  • Caprylyl Glycol: Preservative booster with skin conditioning; reduces phenoxyethanol usage rate needed; blends found in commercial systems such as Optiphen

The optimal blend can only be determined by challenge testing — there is no single correct answer for every formulation. The guidance above represents known-effective combinations; your specific formulation's pH, water activity, oil content, and actives all influence which blend works best. Challenge test your preserved formulation before commercial launch.

For standard low-risk formulations (basic emulsions, surfactant systems, simple gels without biological actives), phenoxyethanol at 0.75–1.0% as a standalone preservative with good manufacturing practice is appropriate.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

  • Face creams and facial moisturisers
  • Body lotions and body creams
  • Facial serums and toners
  • Shampoos and hair conditioners
  • Body washes and shower gels
  • Facial cleansers and micellar water
  • Eye creams and eye gels
  • Baby washes and baby lotions (check dosage restrictions for under 3s)
  • Gels and styling products
  • Leave-on hair treatments
  • Sunscreen formulations
  • After-sun and soothing products
  • Lip balms and lip products (at ≤1%)
  • Foundation and BB creams (aqueous phase)
  • Shaving gels and post-shave balms

Product Info

Specs
  • INCI Name: Phenoxyethanol
  • CAS Number: 122-99-6
  • Chemical Name: 2-Phenoxyethanol; Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether
  • Chemical Formula: C₈H₁₀O₂
  • Origin: Synthetic
  • Grade: Cosmetic Grade
  • Appearance: Clear, colourless to pale straw liquid
  • Odour: Mild, characteristic faintly rose-like glycol ether odour
  • pH (1% solution @ 20°C): Approximately 7.0 — neutral
  • Maximum Finished Product pH: Effective to pH 12 — exceptionally broad pH stability
  • Solubility: 2% soluble in water; soluble in ethyl alcohol and most organic solvents; dispersible in oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions
  • Usage Level: Up to 1.0% of total formulation weight (EU and global maximum)
  • Recommended Standard Usage Rate: 0.5–1.0% depending on formulation type and risk level
  • Temperature Stability: Stable to 80°C — can be added to hot phases; cool-down addition is not mandatory (unlike Liquid Germall Plus)
  • Phase Addition: Any phase — oil phase, water phase, or cool-down; stability allows flexible addition
  • Onset of Full Efficacy: Up to 48 hours in formulation — slow-acting; see guidance on high-risk formulations below
  • Paraben-free: Yes
  • Formaldehyde-free: Yes
  • Formaldehyde-releasing: No
  • Suitable for: Rinse-off and leave-on products; O/W and W/O emulsions; surfactant-based systems; gels; aqueous formulations
  • Globally Approved: Yes — EU, USA, Australia, Japan, China, and most global markets at ≤1%
  • Shelf Life: 3 years from manufacture in sealed storage
  • Storage: Store sealed in a cool, dark place away from heat and direct sunlight
Benefits
  • Genuinely broad-spectrum — effective against gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and mould; true standalone broad-spectrum coverage at 1%
  • Paraben-free and non-formaldehyde-releasing — the most widely preferred preservative profile for clean beauty and natural-positioned formulations; no formaldehyde release concerns
  • Exceptionally wide pH stability — effective to pH 12; no pH adjustment required in any typical cosmetic formulation including high-pH conditioners and alkaline cleansers; no constraint of sorbic acid-based systems
  • Heat stable to 80°C — can be added at any production phase including hot phases; no mandatory cool-down addition; flexible manufacturing
  • Globally approved — accepted in all major markets including EU (at ≤1%), USA, Australia, Japan, and China; no market access concerns
  • Neutrally pH-independent antimicrobial mechanism — activity not significantly affected by formulation pH within the 3–12 range
  • Offers head-space protection — phenoxyethanol evaporates very slowly, providing some antimicrobial activity in the head-space above the product surface inside sealed packaging; reduces the risk of surface contamination from the air
  • Stable to hydrolysis — does not break down in aqueous systems over time; maintains activity throughout the product shelf life
  • Excellent compatibility — miscible with most cosmetic ingredients; compatible with anionic, cationic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactants; compatible with proteins, humectants, and most actives
  • Versatile formulation addition — can be added to oil phase, water phase, or at cool-down; no strict addition temperature window
Product Safety
  • For cosmetic use only — not for internal consumption
  • Maximum permitted concentration in finished cosmetic products: 1.0% globally (EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex V; equivalent limits apply in Australia under TGA/AICIS)
  • EU restriction: Not to be used in products for children under 3 years applied to the nappy area; maximum 0.4% in these applications
  • Paraben-free and non-formaldehyde-releasing — suitable for clean beauty and natural-positioned formulations
  • Globally approved — EU, USA, Australia, Japan, China, Korea, and most markets at ≤1%
  • Avoid contact with eyes in undiluted form; if contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water for several minutes
  • Skin sensitisation: at cosmetic use concentrations (≤1%) phenoxyethanol is well-tolerated by most skin types; undiluted handling warrants gloves
  • Slow onset — always allow 48 hours before challenge testing preserved formulations; challenge test at correct time intervals per ISO 11930
  • Keep out of reach of children
  • Store sealed in a cool, dark location away from heat and direct sunlight
  • Always perform preservative efficacy testing (challenge testing) on finished formulations before commercial product launch
Shipping

Collections from Springvale: Please allow 24 hours for all collection in store. If same day pickup is required, please contact us to discuss.

Shipping: We ship Australia Wide

FAQs

Questions

What is the INCI name for Phenoxyethanol?

The INCI name is simply Phenoxyethanol — one of the most straightforward preservative INCI declarations. This single ingredient name must appear on your finished cosmetic product ingredient list. Unlike Optiphen Plus or Liquid Germall Plus which contain multiple components requiring multiple INCI declarations, phenoxyethanol is a single-ingredient preservative.

What is the maximum usage rate for Phenoxyethanol?

The global maximum in finished cosmetic products is 1.0% by weight. This limit applies in the EU, Australia, USA, Japan, China, and most other markets. Do not exceed 1.0% in any finished cosmetic formulation. Within the 0.5–1.0% range, use the lower end for low-risk formulations and the upper end (1%) for high-risk or high-water-activity formulations.

Can Phenoxyethanol be added to hot formulations?

Yes — phenoxyethanol is heat stable to 80°C, meaning it can be added to hot oil phases, hot water phases, or at any point in the manufacturing process up to 80°C. This is a significant practical advantage over Liquid Germall Plus which requires cool-down addition below 50°C. In practice, many formulators still prefer cool-down addition as a matter of habit and to preserve any volatile components in their formulation, but it is not a requirement for phenoxyethanol.

Why is Phenoxyethanol described as slow-acting?

Phenoxyethanol's antimicrobial mechanism — membrane disruption through partitioning into microbial lipid bilayers — requires time to reach effective intracellular concentrations. In complex aqueous emulsions, this process can take up to 48 hours. During this period, in high-risk formulations, microbial populations can theoretically proliferate faster than phenoxyethanol can control them. For standard low-risk formulations with good manufacturing practice (clean equipment, low microbial starting load, minimal contamination risk), this is not a practical issue. For high-risk formulations (botanical extracts, biological actives, clays, high water content), blending with a faster-acting co-preservative is recommended.

What co-preservatives blend well with Phenoxyethanol?

Several effective options exist depending on your formulation and clean beauty positioning: Potassium Sorbate / Sorbic Acid (good antifungal booster; pH-dependent below 6.5); Glyceryl Caprylate (naturally-derived, fast-acting booster; also in Optiphen); Caprylyl Glycol (the same booster used in Optiphen Plus, pairs naturally with phenoxyethanol); Piroctone Olamine (particularly for hair products and anti-dandruff); Sodium Benzoate (fast-acting antibacterial; pH-dependent below 6.0). Note: the optimal blend for your specific formulation can only be confirmed with challenge testing — these are starting points, not guaranteed solutions.

Is Phenoxyethanol approved for lip products?

Yes — unlike Liquid Germall Plus (which contains IPBC, prohibited in lip products), phenoxyethanol is approved for lip product use at the standard maximum of 1.0% in most markets. It is widely used in lip balms, tinted lip balms, and lip glosses. Confirm with your regulatory consultant for specific market requirements.

Does Phenoxyethanol work in high-pH formulations like conditioners?

Yes — one of phenoxyethanol's significant advantages is its pH stability up to pH 12, making it effective across virtually the entire cosmetic formulation pH range without adjustment. High-pH conditioners (pH 4.5–7.0), alkaline cleansers, and carbomer gels at pH 6.5–7.0 can all be preserved with phenoxyethanol without any pH-related efficacy concern — unlike Optiphen Plus which requires formulations at pH 6.0 or below.

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