FRIGHTFUL 15: #5 PHENOXYETHANOL

PHENOXYETHANOL

What Is It and Why in Skincare and Personal Care Products?

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative to limit bacterial growth.  It is also a stabilizer for ingredients that may deteriorate and spoil.  It’s widely used in many personal care products including perfumes, soaps, cosmetics and shaving cream.  It’s used as a substitute for parabens (another ingredient that’s cause for concern).  On a label you may see it as:

  • Phenoxythanonol

  • Ethylene glycol monophenyl ester

  • 2-phenoxyethanol

  • PhE

  • Dowanol

  • Arosol

  • Phenoxetol

  • Rose ether

  • Phenoxyethyl alcohol

  • Beta-hydroxyethyl phenyl ether

  • Optiphen Plus

 So What’s So Bad?

Currently the FDA has approved phenoxyethanlol for use in products applied onto the skin.  The Cosmetic Ingredient Review also recognizes it as safe in concentrations less than or equal to 1% of the product formulation.  The European Union also says it’s safe in the same concentration, but voiced concern regarding the use of multiples products with phenoxyethanol.  Because it’s so widely used in so many products, could there be a risk of overexposure and accumulation?

 In 2008, the FDA recalled a nipple cream with phenoxyethanol due to safety concerns for breastfeeding infants.  There were reports of acute central nervous effects in these infants exhibited by vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, difficulty waking, limpness of extremities and change in skin color.

It has been noted that sensitive individuals exhibited skin irritations, dermatitis, rash, eczema and hives when using products containing phenoxyethanol.  It’s even linked to analphylaxis – an acute, severe, allergic reaction that can be life threatening.  It’s best to avoid products containing this ingredient, especially if allergic to it, pregnant or breastfeeding.  It is definitely not for use in children.

Because VERDAUD has been designed and formulated for the most sensitive skin, no VERDAUD  products contain phenoxyethanol.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/phenoxyethanol#Why-is-it-added-to-cosmetics?-

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/phenoxyethanol/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3109/1091581900907873

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0105-1873.2006.0645g.x

https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_195.pdf

https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-parabens/

 

Barbara PaprockComment