{"id":7227,"date":"2023-07-17T15:42:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T13:42:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/?page_id=7227"},"modified":"2026-06-02T11:37:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T09:37:38","slug":"phenoxyethanol","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/phenoxyethanol\/","title":{"rendered":"Phenoxyethanol: Should it be banned?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"bd-brand\"><style>\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(260px,1fr));gap:16px;margin-top:8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;padding:24px 26px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.6);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.95);border-radius:22px;backdrop-filter:blur(20px);text-decoration:none;transition:transform 0.25s ease,box-shadow 0.25s ease;box-shadow:0 10px 40px rgba(42,36,56,0.04)}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card:hover{transform:translateY(-4px);box-shadow:0 22px 55px rgba(42,36,56,0.1)}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card-tag{font-family:var(--bd-sans);font-size:11px;font-weight:600;color:var(--bd-accent);letter-spacing:0.06em;text-transform:uppercase}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card h3{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-weight:500;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;color:var(--bd-ink);letter-spacing:-0.01em;margin:0}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card-arrow{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-style:italic;font-size:14px;color:var(--bd-accent);margin-top:auto;padding-top:4px}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(240px,1fr));gap:16px;margin-top:8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-card{padding:26px 28px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.6);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.95);border-radius:22px;backdrop-filter:blur(20px);box-shadow:0 10px 40px rgba(42,36,56,0.04)}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-card .bd-prob-num{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-style:italic;font-size:26px;color:var(--bd-accent);line-height:1}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-card h4{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-weight:500;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;color:var(--bd-ink);letter-spacing:-0.01em;margin:10px 0 8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-card p{font-family:var(--bd-sans);font-size:14.5px;line-height:1.6;color:var(--bd-ink-soft,#5a5560);margin:0}\n.bd-brand .bd-refs{margin-top:8px;padding:26px 28px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.45);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.9);border-radius:22px}\n.bd-brand .bd-refs li{font-family:var(--bd-sans);font-size:13px;line-height:1.6;color:var(--bd-ink-soft,#5a5560);margin:0 0 8px;list-style:none;padding-left:18px;position:relative}\n.bd-brand .bd-refs li:before{content:'\u00b7';position:absolute;left:4px;color:var(--bd-accent);font-weight:700}\n.bd-brand .bd-refs li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}\n.bd-brand>p:empty{display:none!important}\n.bd-brand>p{margin:0!important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-section{padding:48px 0 !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-hero{padding-bottom:8px !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-hero .bd-hero-meta{margin-bottom:0 !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-dark{margin-top:24px !important;margin-bottom:24px !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-final{padding-top:48px !important;padding-bottom:48px !important;margin-top:0 !important}\n@media (max-width:900px){html body .bd-brand .bd-section{padding:36px 0 !important}html body .bd-brand .bd-hero{padding-top:56px !important}html body .bd-brand .bd-eyebrow{margin-top:8px}}\n<\/style><section class=\"bd-hero\" style=\"padding-bottom:8px !important;padding-top:56px !important\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-eyebrow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/ingredient\/\" style=\"color:inherit;text-decoration:none\">Guide skincare - Ingredients<\/a><\/span><h1>Phenoxyethanol - <em>is it harmful to the skin?<\/em> according to a doctor and analyses by BeautyDecoders.<\/h1><p class=\"bd-hero-sub\">Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that prevents the development of bacteria, yeast and mold in cosmetics. Judged safe up to 1 % by the European Scientific Committee (SCCS), it is nevertheless not recommended by the ANSM for use on babies' bottom areas, and is restricted for use on young children. Although it has no direct effect on the skin, it remains a useful preservative, whose use deserves particular caution in toddlers and pregnant women, in the light of data from the French PELAGIE cohort.<\/p><div class=\"bd-hero-meta\"><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Family<\/span><strong>Synthetic preservative<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Frame<\/span><strong>Safe up to 1 % (SCCS, 2016)<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Vigilance<\/span><strong>Toddlers - seats &amp; wipes (ANSM)<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">The facts<\/span><h2>The alternative to parabens, <em>also under discussion<\/em><\/h2><p class=\"bd-lead\">While parabens are becoming increasingly controversial, phenoxyethanol is gaining in popularity as an alternative. But what do we really know about this preservative? Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative used to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms that can spoil creams, foundations, sunscreens and more. Particularly effective, it is resistant to bacteria. It is produced by ethoxylation, a process in which phenol and ethylene oxide react at high temperature and pressure.<\/p><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Role in the formula<\/span><h2>What's it for? <em>in cosmetics<\/em><\/h2><p class=\"bd-lead\">Unlike an active ingredient, phenoxyethanol has no direct effect on the skin: its role is to preserve the product. A preservative is essential, as a cosmetic contaminated by bacteria would be far more dangerous than a preserved product.<\/p><div class=\"bd-prob-grid\"><div class=\"bd-prob-card\"><div class=\"bd-prob-num\">01<\/div><h4>Antimicrobial action<\/h4><p>It prevents the growth of fungi, bacteria and yeasts in the formula.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bd-prob-card\"><div class=\"bd-prob-num\">02<\/div><h4>Shelf life<\/h4><p>It secures the product and extends its useful life.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bd-prob-card\"><div class=\"bd-prob-num\">03<\/div><h4>Stability<\/h4><p>It avoids undesirable reactions with other ingredients, air or light.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bd-prob-card\"><div class=\"bd-prob-num\">04<\/div><h4>Versatility<\/h4><p>It protects a wide variety of products against pathogens.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-dark\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">The controversy, with supporting sources<\/span><h2>What they say <em>agencies?<\/em><\/h2><p>The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) has been monitoring phenoxyethanol for several years. As a precautionary measure, it has recommended since 2012 that it should not be used in products applied to babies' breeches, and that a maximum concentration of 0.4 % should be set for other products intended for children under 3. For its part, the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) concluded in October 2016 that phenoxyethanol used at 1 % in cosmetics is safe, regardless of age.<\/p><p>ANSM continued its investigations, convening a temporary specialized scientific committee of experts in toxicology, epidemiology, dermatology and allergology in 2017. Its conclusions: maintain the 2012 recommendation not to use phenoxyethanol on babies' breeches, and extend it to wipes commonly used to clean young children.<\/p><div class=\"bd-dark-quote\"><strong>The \u00abcocktail\u00bb effect\u00bb<\/strong><p>ANSM warns against the \u00abcocktail\u00bb effect of frequent and repeated use of products containing phenoxyethanol. The occasional application of a product is harmless; it's the multiplication and frequency of products that can raise questions.<\/p><p>Questions also remain about possible links between one of its components (phenoxyacetic acid) and fertility, and about a potential endocrine-disrupting effect, which have yet to be scientifically confirmed.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-dark\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Pregnancy - French data<\/span><h2>Phenoxyethanol and pregnancy : <em>the PELAGIE cohort<\/em><\/h2><p>This is undoubtedly the point that deserves most attention. Phenoxyethanol is very widespread - it features in around a third of the creams on the French market - and for pregnant women, leading French scientific data calls for reasoned caution: the PELAGIE cohort, led by Inserm. This study (unit U1085, Rennes) followed 3,421 pregnant women recruited in Brittany between 2002 and 2006, and their children. At the start of pregnancy, the researchers measured urinary concentrations of phenoxyacetic acid, the main metabolite of phenoxyethanol. The results have been published in international peer-reviewed journals (Environmental Health Perspectives, Epidemiology).<\/p><div class=\"bd-pillars-grid\"><div class=\"bd-pillar\"><strong>1 - Time to conceive<\/strong><p>In women with the highest concentrations, a statistically significant lengthening of the time needed to conceive was observed (Garlantezec et al., 2013).<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bd-pillar\"><strong>2 - Cord blood hormones<\/strong><p>Significant associations were found with levels of certain steroid hormones measured at birth in cord blood, with different profiles in boys and girls.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bd-pillar\"><strong>3 - Verbal comprehension at age 6<\/strong><p>In the children most exposed in utero, a significant decrease in verbal comprehension scores (WISC test) was observed compared to those less exposed (B\u00e9ranger et al., 2017).<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"bd-dark-quote\"><strong>How to interpret these results?<\/strong><p>Rigorously and without alarmism. The report of the ANSM's Scientific Committee (December 2017) itself states that these results, although unpublished, need to be confirmed, and that we cannot exclude that they are linked to other substances to which these women were co-exposed. These are statistical associations, not proven causal links: the presence of phenoxyethanol in a product does not indicate proven dangerousness.<\/p><p>It is precisely this methodological honesty that justifies a simple precautionary approach for pregnant women. Without demonizing this ingredient, it's easy to limit exposure during pregnancy by choosing products that are free of it, especially as there is a wide range of products on offer today. If in doubt, consult your doctor or midwife.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">BeautyDecoded's opinion<\/span><h2>A useful preservative, <em>targeted vigilance<\/em><\/h2><p class=\"bd-lead\">Phenoxyethanol is not the ingredient some people make it out to be: it's a preservative considered safe up to 1 % by the European authorities, and a well-preserved product is safer than one that oxidizes or becomes contaminated. The real vigilance concerns toddlers (baby's bottom, wipes) and, as a precautionary principle, the multiplication of everyday sources. For adults, it is not a worrying ingredient at authorized concentrations. If you prefer to avoid it, there is a wide range of phenoxyethanol-free products available today.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== CTA APP (bd-final standard) ===== --><section class=\"bd-final\" style=\"padding-top:48px !important;margin-top:0 !important\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-final-inner\"><div class=\"bd-section-label\">Further information<\/div><h2>Find phenoxyethanol in <em>your daily care<\/em>.<\/h2><p>The BeautyDecoded application lets you scan any cosmetic product to visualize its suitability for your skin type and needs, based on INCI analysis.<\/p><div class=\"bd-cta-wrap\" style=\"justify-content: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beautydecoded.go.link\/88eZ2\" class=\"bd-cta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discover BeautyDecoded<\/a><\/div><div class=\"bd-cta-meta\" style=\"margin-top: 16px;\">Application available on iOS and Android<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Frequently asked questions<\/span><h2>Your questions about <em>phenoxyethanol<\/em><\/h2><div class=\"bd-faq-list\"><details class=\"bd-faq-item\"><summary>Is phenoxyethanol dangerous?<\/summary><div class=\"bd-faq-answer\">At authorized concentrations (up to 1 %), it is deemed safe for adults by the European Scientific Committee. Reservations relate mainly to babies and young children, and to the cumulative effect of numerous products. For normal adult use, it is not considered a cause for concern.<\/div><\/details><details class=\"bd-faq-item\"><summary>Phenoxyethanol or parabens?<\/summary><div class=\"bd-faq-answer\">Phenoxyethanol is often used as an alternative to parabens. Both are authorized and regulated preservatives. No cosmetic product can do without preservatives without the risk of contamination; the challenge is to use them in safe doses, as stipulated by regulations.<\/div><\/details><details class=\"bd-faq-item\"><summary>Can it be used on babies?<\/summary><div class=\"bd-faq-answer\">ANSM advises against the use of phenoxyethanol-containing products on babies' diapers and diaper wipes. For other products intended for children under 3, a limited concentration applies. As a precaution, it's best to check the labels on products for toddlers.<\/div><\/details><details class=\"bd-faq-item\"><summary>Is it an endocrine disruptor?<\/summary><div class=\"bd-faq-answer\">It is suspected to be so, due to questions about one of its components and fertility, but this has yet to be scientifically confirmed. To date, the authorities consider it safe at authorized concentrations, while maintaining surveillance.<\/div><\/details><details class=\"bd-faq-item\"><summary>How do you know if a product contains it?<\/summary><div class=\"bd-faq-answer\">It appears under the name \u00abphenoxyethanol\u00bb in the INCI list. Its position at the end of the list generally indicates a low concentration, which is usual for a preservative.<\/div><\/details><details class=\"bd-faq-item\"><summary>Can phenoxyethanol be used during pregnancy?<\/summary><div class=\"bd-faq-answer\">As a precaution, it's best to limit exposure during pregnancy. The French PELAGIE cohort (Inserm) observed statistical associations between phenoxyethanol exposure in early pregnancy and several parameters (time to conception, cord hormones, verbal comprehension of the child), without any proven causal links. Favoring phenoxyethanol-free products during this period is a simple precaution; if in doubt, seek medical advice.<\/div><\/details><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Scientific sources<\/span><h2>Visit <em>references<\/em><\/h2><ul class=\"bd-refs\"><li>ANSM, CSST report \u00abUse of phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products\u00bb, December 2017.<\/li><li>ANSM, \u00ab\u00c9valuation du risque li\u00e9 \u00e0 l'utilisation du ph\u00e9noxy\u00e9thanol dans les produits cosm\u00e9tiques\u00bb, May 2012.<\/li><li>Garlantezec R. et al, \u00abUrinary Glycol Ether Metabolites in Women and Time to Pregnancy: The PELAGIE Cohort,\u00bb Environ Health Perspect, 2013;121:1167-1173 (PMID 23645546).<\/li><li>B\u00e9ranger R. et al, \u00abPrenatal Exposure to Glycol Ethers and Neurocognitive Abilities in 6-Year-Old Children: The PELAGIE Cohort,\u00bb Environ Health Perspect, 2017;125:684-690 (PMID 27649815).<\/li><li>SCCS (European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), opinion on phenoxyethanol, October 2016.<\/li><li>Regulation (EC) n\u00b01223\/2009 on cosmetic products, Annex V.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Further information<\/span><h2>Others <em>associated guides<\/em><\/h2><div class=\"bd-hub-grid\"><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/silicones\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Ingredient<\/span><h3>Silicones<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/comedogenic-ingredients\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Guide<\/span><h3>Comedogenic ingredients<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/care-by-skin-type\/sensitive-skin\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Guide<\/span><h3>Sensitive skin care<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/ingredient\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Guide<\/span><h3>All ingredients<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/section><div class=\"bd-sig\"><strong>Dr Sylvain David<\/strong><span>Plastic and aesthetic surgeon - Founder of BeautyDecoded<\/span><\/div><div class=\"bd-disclaimer\"><p>Information for educational purposes only. It does not replace a medical consultation and must be adapted to each individual. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative deemed safe up to 1 % by the European Scientific Committee (SCCS, 2016). The ANSM advises against its use on babies\u00ab breeches and wipes for young children, and recommends caution in view of the \u00bbcocktail\" effect of multiple products. Questions about an endocrine-disrupting effect remain to be scientifically confirmed. During pregnancy, the French PELAGIE cohort (Inserm) found statistical associations - not causal - that justify a simple precaution: limit exposure by choosing phenoxyethanol-free products, and seek medical advice if in doubt. For products intended for toddlers, check the label. In case of doubt or skin pathology, dermatological advice is recommended.<\/p><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Skincare Guide \u00b7 Ingredients: Phenoxyethanol \u2014 Is It Harmful to the Skin? According to a doctor and analyses by BeautyDecodeurs. Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold in cosmetics. Deemed safe up to 1% by the European Scientific Committee (SCCS), it is nevertheless not recommended by\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":120,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"enable","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7227","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Sylvain David","author_link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/author\/beautydecoded\/"},"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/120"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7227"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74634,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7227\/revisions\/74634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}