PHENOXYETHANOL
- Cosmetics Fine
What is PHENOXYETHANOL?
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that stops bacteria and mould growing in creams and make-up once opened. EU law allows it at up to 1%, a level safety experts found well below anything that caused harm in animal studies. It's fine for normal use; rarely, it can sting the eyes or cause a skin allergy.
What is Yasno’s verdict on PHENOXYETHANOL?
Yasno’s verdict on PHENOXYETHANOL: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is PHENOXYETHANOL allowed in the EU?
EU status of PHENOXYETHANOL: Permitted as a preservative in cosmetics (Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009). Conditions and limits come from the regulation cited below. Yasno summarises them and does not replace the legal text.
| Where | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | Permitted as a preservative in cosmetics (Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009) | Not recorded |
Reference: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V (entry 29) · Limit: 1.0%
What else is it called?
- 2-Phenoxyethanol
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products — Annex V, European Union, 2009
- 2016 SCCS opinion on phenoxyethanol, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), 2016
Always check the physical label. Yasno describes evidence and regulatory status. It never says a product is free of an allergen or safe for you, and it is not medical advice.
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