# PHENOXYETHANOL (phenoxyethanol) — Global Cosmetic Regulatory & Formulation Monograph

- **Canonical URL**: https://www.inciname.com/en/ingredients/phenoxyethanol
- **Standard INCI**: `PHENOXYETHANOL`
- **KR MFDS Standard Name**: `페녹시에탄올`
- **CAS No.**: `122-99-6`
- **EC / EINECS No.**: `204-589-7`
- **Origin**: `synthetic`
- **Functions**: 항균제, 방부제
- **Molecular Formula / MW**: `C8H10O2` (138.16 g/mol)

## 1. 7-Track Official Regulatory Label Names
| Track | Official Label Nomenclature |
| :--- | :--- |
| KR (MFDS Standard) | 페녹시에탄올 |
| KR (Former Names) | — |
| EU (CosIng 1223/2009) | PHENOXYETHANOL |
| US (PCPC / MoCRA INCI) | PHENOXYETHANOL |
| US (FDA OTC Monograph) | — |
| CN (NMPA IECIC) | 苯氧乙醇 |
| JP (JCIA / MHLW QD) | フェノキシエタノール (QD: フェノキシエタノール) |

## 2. Layer 1 — Global 6-Region Statutory Summary
- **KR (MFDS)**: `restricted`
- **EU (1223/2009)**: `restricted`
- **US (FDA/MoCRA)**: `none`
- **CN (NMPA IECIC)**: `restricted` (Entry: `1294`)
- **JP (MHLW)**: `restricted`
- **ASEAN (ACD)**: `restricted`

- **KR** [limited]: ≤ 1% —  (화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정 [별표2] 사용상의 제한이 필요한 원료)
- **KR** [restricted]: ≤ 1% — KR MFDS Annex 2 Preservatives: Max 1.0%. (화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정 [별표2])
- **EU** [limited]: ≤ 1% —  (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 Annex V — via CosIng (EU Commission))
- **EU** [restricted]: ≤ 1% — EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V #29: Max 1.0% in all cosmetic products. (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 Annex V)
- **CN** [limited]: ≤ 1% —  (化妆品安全技术规范(2015년판) — 表4)
- **CN** [limited]: ≤ 1% —  (化妆品安全技术规范（2015年版）)
- **CN** [restricted]: ≤ 1% — China Safety and Technical Standards Table 4: Max 1.0%. (化妆品安全技术规范)
- **JP** [restricted]: ≤ 1% — Japan Cosmetic Standards Annex 3: Max 1.0%. (化粧品基準 (厚生省告示第331号))
- **ASEAN** [restricted]: ≤ 1% — ASEAN ACD Annex VI: Max 1.0%. (ASEAN Cosmetic Directive Annex VI)

## 3. Layer 2 — Toxicological & Historical Safe Use Concentrations
- **reported_use** (all): ≤ 1% — undefined (undefined)
- **cn_iecic_max** (leave_on): ≤ 1% — NMPA IECIC (2025) Entry 00991 (2025)
- **cn_iecic_max** (rinse_off): ≤ 1% — NMPA IECIC (2025) Entry 00991 (2025)

## 4. Layer 3 — Formulation Quartiles & Compatibility
- **Optimal pH Window**: 3 – 10
- **Max Process Temp**: ≤ 75°C
- **Synergy Pairings**: ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CHLORPHENESIN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
- **Incompatibilities**: Can be inactivated by high levels of ethoxylated non-ionic surfactants; pair with Ethylhexylglycerin or Chlorphenesin to cover fungi/mold

## 5. Academic Monograph
■ [1. Chemical Identity & International Labeling Nomenclature]
  - INCI Name: PHENOXYETHANOL | CAS No.: 122-99-6 | EC No.: 204-589-7
  - Origin: SYNTHETIC | Functions: , 
  - Physicochemical Profile: Formula C8H10O2 | MW 138.16 g/mol | LogP 1.16 | Ionic Nature: non-ionic | PubChem CID 31236
  - Official Regional Label Names: US [PHENOXYETHANOL] · EU [PHENOXYETHANOL] · CN [苯氧乙醇] · JP [フェノキシエタノール] · JP Quasi-Drug [フェノキシエタノール]
■ [2. Dermatological Mechanism of Action & Functional Role]
  - Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula: Classified under origin 'synthetic', it acts within the cosmetic vehicle or stratum corneum to deliver ,  performance and structural formulation stability.
■ [3. Global 6-Jurisdiction Regulatory Status & Safety Limits (Layer 1 & Layer 2)]
  - Regional Summary: KR: RESTRICTED | EU: RESTRICTED | US: NONE | CN: RESTRICTED | JP: RESTRICTED | ASEAN: RESTRICTED (CN IECIC (2025) Entry No. 1294 (苯氧乙醇))
  - [KR / COMPOSITION / limited] (Max 1%): 
  - [CN / COMPOSITION / limited] (Max 1%): 
  - [CN / COMPOSITION / limited] (Max 1%): 
  - Official Safety & Historical Use Concentration (Layer 2): sccs (reported_use, all): Max 1% / CN_IECIC_2025 (cn_iecic_max, leave_on): Max 1.0% / CN_IECIC_2025 (cn_iecic_max, rinse_off): Max 1.0%
■ [4. Formulation Dosage Guide by Product Category (Layer 3-A)]
  - [aqueous_serum] Typical range: 0.2 ~ 1.0% (Median 0.5%, Ref: Dow DOWANOL EPh TDS & EU/KR Annex Preservative Limit) — Global standard broad-spectrum preservative (Legal max 1.0%)
  - [emulsion_cream] Typical range: 0.3 ~ 1.0% (Median 0.7%, Ref: Dow DOWANOL EPh TDS & Formulation Library (n=412)) — All-pH stable emulsion preservative
  - [anhydrous_balm] Typical range: 0.3 ~ 1.0% (Median 1.0%, Ref: Global Starter Formulation Library Statistical Distribution (n=6, SEPPIC 3 · EVONIK 2 · ELEMENTIS 1)) — Anhydrous balm, oil & stick structural emollient
■ [5. Formulation Engineering, Stability & Incompatibility Matrix (Layer 3-B)]
  - Addition Phase: Cool-down Phase (< 60°C) or Water Phase
  - Optimal pH Range: pH 3.0 ~ 10.0 | Max Process Temp: Max 75°C | Electrolyte Tolerance: HIGH
  - Incompatibility / Caution: Can be inactivated by high levels of ethoxylated non-ionic surfactants; pair with Ethylhexylglycerin or Chlorphenesin to cover fungi/mold
  - Synergy Pairings: ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CHLORPHENESIN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL | Reference Trade Names: DOWANOL™ EPh, Euxyl® PE 9010, Phenoxetol®
■ [6. Peer-Reviewed Literature & Official Compendia Evidence]
  - PMID 42275064 (2026, JAMA Netw Open): Antiseptic Cleansing to Reduce Vertical Transmission of Pathogens to Neonates: The NeoVT-AMR Randomized Clinical Trial
  - PMID 42059598 (2026, Microbiol Spectr): EDTA suppresses bacterial perseverance to 2-phenoxyethanol
  - PMID 41692689 (2026, Contact Dermatitis): Allergic Risk of Moisturising Cosmetic Products: A Study on the Composition of 300 Products Commercialised in Tunisia

## 6. Linked PubMed Literature
- [PMID: 42275064] Antiseptic Cleansing to Reduce Vertical Transmission of Pathogens to Neonates: The NeoVT-AMR Randomized Clinical Trial — *JAMA Netw Open* (2026)
- [PMID: 42059598] EDTA suppresses bacterial perseverance to 2-phenoxyethanol — *Microbiol Spectr* (2026)
- [PMID: 41692689] Allergic Risk of Moisturising Cosmetic Products: A Study on the Composition of 300 Products Commercialised in Tunisia — *Contact Dermatitis* (2026)
- [PMID: 41160166] Influence of the exposed anatomic sites on the human in vivo percutaneous absorption of the amphiphilic 2-phenoxyethanol — *Arch Toxicol* (2026)
- [PMID: 41151975] Contact Urticaria Caused by Ultrasound Gel Containing Phenoxyethanol in a 4-Year-Old Boy — *Contact Dermatitis* (2026)
- [PMID: 42260018] Environmental performance of analytical methods: insights from life cycle assessment on four analytical chemistry workflows — *Anal Bioanal Chem* (2026)
- [PMID: 41915860] Skin injuries related to Octenidine-based antisepsis in neonatal and pediatric populations: a scoping review — *Cutan Ocul Toxicol* (2026)
- [PMID: 41685624] Preservative Kinetics and Influence of Surfactants on Gram-Negative Bacterial Membrane Partitioning — *Langmuir* (2026)
- [PMID: 41638886] Preservatives in Leave-On Cosmetics Available on the Dutch Market — *Contact Dermatitis* (2026)
- [PMID: 41213668] Evaluation of the efficacy of PREVENIR (PREVention ENvIronment Reproduction) platforms on urinary markers of chemical exposure in pregnant women: protocol for an unblinded randomised clinical trial (PREVENIR-G) — *BMJ Open* (2025)
- [PMID: 41058610] Environmental hazard ingredients in women's hair growth cosmeceuticals: a comprehensive analysis — *Int J Womens Dermatol* (2025)
- [PMID: 40762063] Development and Validation of a Headspace Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method for the Identification and Quantification of Glycol Ethers in Cosmetic Cream Formulations — *J Sep Sci* (2025)