Phenoxyethanol

At ORY^®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about phenoxyethanol. Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.

Please note: Preservatives protect water-containing products from bacteria, yeast, and mold. They do not treat the skin or prevent infection on the skin. Every ORY^® water-based formula should pass a preservative efficacy (challenge) test, such as USP <51> or ISO 11930, before sale.

Drafting note: No separate Phenoxyethanol product description was received; this page was drafted from the ORY^® Dual-Use Matrix and the Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin description. Check it against your final product description before publishing.

How to read this page

Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews.

Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY^® uses.

Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly.

1. General Description and Role

Claim: Phenoxyethanol is a widely used, paraben- and formaldehyde-free preservative. In ORY^® products, it helps protect water-based formulas from bacterial growth across a wide pH range, usually with a booster such as ethylhexylglycerin.

Verification: Supported. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that phenoxyethanol is safe as used in cosmetics. The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) found it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children.

Citations:

- Elder, R. L. (Ed.). (1990). Final report on the safety assessment of phenoxyethanol. Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 9(2), 259–277 (conclusion reaffirmed in Andersen, F. A. (2011). Annual review of cosmetic ingredient safety assessments: 2007–2010. International Journal of Toxicology, 30(Suppl), 73S–127S). https://doi.org/10.3109/10915819009078737
  - What it shows: CIR safety assessment.
- European Commission, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. (2016). Opinion on phenoxyethanol (SCCS/1575/16): safe as a preservative at a maximum concentration of 1.0%, including for children. https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-08/sccs_o_195_0.pdf
  - What it shows: SCCS opinion.

2. Composition and Production

Claim: Phenoxyethanol is a glycol ether, a clear liquid with a faint rose-like odor. It is used at up to 1% and works across about pH 3–10.

Verification: Supported. Its chemistry is well documented.

Citations:

- Elder, R. L. (Ed.). (1990). Final report on the safety assessment of phenoxyethanol. Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 9(2), 259–277 (conclusion reaffirmed in Andersen, F. A. (2011). Annual review of cosmetic ingredient safety assessments: 2007–2010. International Journal of Toxicology, 30(Suppl), 73S–127S). https://doi.org/10.3109/10915819009078737
  - What it shows: Describes chemistry.

3. Skin Type Suitability

Claim: At its use level, phenoxyethanol is suitable for all skin types.

Verification: Supported. A 2019 review found contact allergy to phenoxyethanol rare.

Citations:

- Dréno, B., Zuberbier, T., Gelmetti, C., Gontijo, G., & Marinovich, M. (2019). Safety review of phenoxyethanol when used as a preservative in cosmetics. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 33(Suppl 7), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15944
  - What it shows: Safety review.

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

Claim: In haircare, phenoxyethanol protects water-based shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, and scalp products from microbial growth. It has no direct effect on hair.

Verification: Supported. This is a formulation role; ORY^® haircare products are not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions.

Citations:

- Lundov, M. D., Moesby, L., Zachariae, C., & Johansen, J. D. (2009). Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: A review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis, 60(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01501.x
  - What it shows: Review of cosmetic preservation.

5. Benefits

Claim: Phenoxyethanol helps keep water-based products free of harmful microbial growth.

Verification: Supported. Preservatives protect the product, not the skin.

Citations:

- Lundov, M. D., Moesby, L., Zachariae, C., & Johansen, J. D. (2009). Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: A review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis, 60(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01501.x
  - What it shows: Review of contamination and preservation.

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines

Claim: Phenoxyethanol is used in water-based ORY^® Skincare, Haircare, and Cosmetics, and in liquid and cream soaps.

Verification: Supported. Cold-process bars do not need it.

Product line	Typical level	How ORY^® uses it
Skincare	up to 1%	Serums, toners, creams, gels, and cleansers.
Haircare	up to 1%	Shampoos, conditioners, and leave-ins.
Handmade Soap line	up to 1%	Liquid and cream soaps and water-containing syndets (not cold-process bars).
Cosmetics	up to 1%	Foundations, setting sprays, and mascaras.

Citations:

- Lundov, M. D., Moesby, L., Zachariae, C., & Johansen, J. D. (2009). Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: A review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis, 60(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01501.x
  - What it shows: Preservation practice.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20
  - What it shows: FDA definition of soap; other bars are cosmetics.

7. Pros

Claim: A well-reviewed, paraben- and formaldehyde-free preservative.

Verification: Supported. Supported by CIR, SCCS, and dermatology reviews.

Citations:

- Elder, R. L. (Ed.). (1990). Final report on the safety assessment of phenoxyethanol. Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 9(2), 259–277 (conclusion reaffirmed in Andersen, F. A. (2011). Annual review of cosmetic ingredient safety assessments: 2007–2010. International Journal of Toxicology, 30(Suppl), 73S–127S). https://doi.org/10.3109/10915819009078737
  - What it shows: Safety.
- Dréno, B., Zuberbier, T., Gelmetti, C., Gontijo, G., & Marinovich, M. (2019). Safety review of phenoxyethanol when used as a preservative in cosmetics. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 33(Suppl 7), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15944
  - What it shows: Safety review.

8. Cons

Claim: Phenoxyethanol is weaker against yeast and mold on its own and is not natural-certified.

Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:

- Needs a booster. Usually paired with ethylhexylglycerin or similar.
- Not COSMOS/Ecocert. Excluded from natural standards.
- 1% maximum. Must stay at or below 1%.
- Challenge testing needed. Efficacy must be confirmed in each formula.

Citations:

- European Commission, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. (2016). Opinion on phenoxyethanol (SCCS/1575/16): safe as a preservative at a maximum concentration of 1.0%, including for children. https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-08/sccs_o_195_0.pdf
  - What it shows: 1% limit.

9. Safety Notes

Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only.

Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:

- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- If you know you are allergic to phenoxyethanol, avoid products that contain it.
- Water-based products are only as safe as their preservation. Keep lids closed, do not add water to the product, and discard it if it changes color, smell, or texture.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes unless the product is made for the eye area.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.

Citations:

- Elder, R. L. (Ed.). (1990). Final report on the safety assessment of phenoxyethanol. Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 9(2), 259–277 (conclusion reaffirmed in Andersen, F. A. (2011). Annual review of cosmetic ingredient safety assessments: 2007–2010. International Journal of Toxicology, 30(Suppl), 73S–127S). https://doi.org/10.3109/10915819009078737
  - What it shows: Safety.

10. Product-line notes

- ORY^® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY^® Haircare: Designed for the look and feel of hair and scalp comfort. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss.
- ORY^® Handmade Soap line: Cold-process bars contain very little free water and do not need this preservative. It is used only in liquid soaps, cream soaps, and water-containing syndet products; syndet and cream products are cosmetics under FDA rules, not soap, and list all of their ingredients.
- ORY^® Cosmetics: Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.

11. References

Peer-reviewed research

- Dréno, B., Zuberbier, T., Gelmetti, C., Gontijo, G., & Marinovich, M. (2019). Safety review of phenoxyethanol when used as a preservative in cosmetics. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 33(Suppl 7), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15944
- Elder, R. L. (Ed.). (1990). Final report on the safety assessment of phenoxyethanol. Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 9(2), 259–277 (conclusion reaffirmed in Andersen, F. A. (2011). Annual review of cosmetic ingredient safety assessments: 2007–2010. International Journal of Toxicology, 30(Suppl), 73S–127S). https://doi.org/10.3109/10915819009078737
- Lundov, M. D., Moesby, L., Zachariae, C., & Johansen, J. D. (2009). Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: A review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis, 60(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01501.x

Government and regulatory sources

- European Commission, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. (2016). Opinion on phenoxyethanol (SCCS/1575/16): safe as a preservative at a maximum concentration of 1.0%, including for children. https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-08/sccs_o_195_0.pdf
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20

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Phenoxyethanol

1. General Description and Role

2. Composition and Production

3. Skin Type Suitability

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

5. Benefits

6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines

7. Pros

8. Cons

9. Safety Notes

10. Product-line notes

11. References

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines