Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol
- Role
- Helps protect a water-based formula from microbial contamination.
- Catalog formulas
- 1
- Type
- Stability
- Verified
- 10.09.2026
What does this ingredient do in an antiperspirant?
A preservative helps a product remain microbiologically stable throughout its period of use.
Part of a system, not a label in isolation
The presence of a preservative is not inherently a drawback: water-based cosmetics without an adequate preservation system may be unsafe.
In the EU, Phenoxyethanol is permitted as a cosmetic preservative at concentrations up to 1%; the SCCS concluded that it is safe for all age groups at this maximum concentration.
Like other preservatives, it may cause an individual reaction, although the permitted limits are set for cosmetic use.
Despite containing the word ethanol, it is not ethyl alcohol and does not make a formula alcohol-based.
Products containing Phenoxyethanol
Links are based on the complete published INCI list for the exact product version.
Sources
The conclusions apply to the stated conditions and jurisdictions, not automatically to every concentration or product.
- SCCS/1575/16: Opinion on Phenoxyethanol Supports: function, maximum concentration, safety assessment
This ingredient is present in the OKEY formula
Verified product
See where it appears in the complete INCI list and compare the full formula across all criteria rather than judging a finished product by one ingredient.
View the OKEY product profile