Cosmetic & Vaccine Preservative · Perfume Fixative
2-Phenoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monophenyl ether), the widely used preservative in creams, lotions, shampoos and some vaccines, and a fixative in perfumes. Sourced by Chelora Pharmachem, Mumbai, and delivered across India with a batch COA and SDS.
How Buying Works
Send the quantity, grade (Ph. Eur./BP, USP-NF, IP, cosmetic or technical), delivery city and target date. Quote CAS 122-99-6 so there is no confusion.
Price, lead time and packing in one reply, with the specification, COA and SDS/MSDS for your QA team to review.
Samples can be arranged for QC testing, preservative-efficacy and stability trials, and vendor qualification before your commercial order.
Packed, labelled and sent with invoice, batch COA and transport documents. Repeat orders are planned with you.
Product Overview
2-Phenoxyethanol (phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, phenoxetol; CAS 122-99-6) is a glycol ether: a benzene ring joined through an oxygen atom to a short ethanol chain. It is a colourless, slightly viscous liquid with a faint rose-like odour, slightly soluble in water and miscible with ethanol, acetone and glycerol. It is best known as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products, where the EU allows it at up to 1% in the finished product, and in some vaccines and pharmaceutical preparations.
Phenoxyethanol works well against Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts, so it is often the backbone of paraben-free preservative systems. It is stable across a wide pH range and is compatible with most emulsifiers. Beyond preservation, it acts as a fixative that slows the evaporation of perfume oils, a high-boiling solvent for inks, dyes, cellulose acetate and resins, an anaesthetic for fish in aquaculture and research, and an intermediate for phenoxyethyl esters and acrylates.
As a chemical supplier in Mumbai, Chelora Pharmachem supplies pharmacopoeia-grade, cosmetic-grade and technical-grade phenoxyethanol to cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, fragrance and ink manufacturers across India, with a batch-wise COA, SDS/MSDS and specification. Tell us your grade, application and monthly volume, and our team quotes against your specification, from trial lots for preservative-efficacy testing to regular bulk supply. We also supply Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and other actives and excipients for skincare and pharmaceutical formulations.
In Depth
2-Phenoxyethanol is the monophenyl ether of ethylene glycol: one hydroxyl of the glycol is replaced by a phenoxy group. The aromatic ring gives it oil compatibility, while the free primary –OH gives partial water solubility, about 26 g/kg. This balance, with a log Kow of about 1.2, lets it partition into the water phase of emulsions, where microbes grow. It is a neutral, non-ionic compound and is not a phenol.
Phenoxyethanol disrupts the cell membranes of microorganisms, increasing their permeability, and interferes with their energy metabolism. It is most effective against Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with good activity against Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts but weaker action on moulds. For that reason it is usually combined with a booster or co-preservative, such as ethylhexylglycerin, organic acids or other preservatives, at typical use levels of 0.5–1.0%.
Commercial phenoxyethanol is made by hydroxyethylating phenol, usually by reacting it with ethylene oxide in the presence of an alkaline catalyst such as sodium hydroxide; ethylene carbonate can also be used. Controlling the ratio limits over-ethoxylation to phenoxyethoxyethanol and higher glycol ethers. The crude product is purified by vacuum distillation to remove unreacted phenol, which is a key limit in pharmacopoeia and cosmetic grades.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in creams, lotions, shampoos, body washes, wet wipes, sunscreens and colour cosmetics. EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex V permits it at up to 1% in the ready-to-use product, and Japan applies the same 1% limit. Formulators value its broad pH tolerance, low odour, colourlessness and compatibility with paraben-free and ‘clean label’ preservative blends.
Confirm the grade first (Ph. Eur./BP, USP-NF, IP, cosmetic or technical), then compare assay, refractive index, relative density, free phenol, related substances and colour. Cosmetic buyers often also ask for odour, heavy metals and an allergen or impurity statement. For vaccine or injectable work, check that the grade and documentation suit your regulatory filing, and always ask for the COA and SDS of the actual batch.
Chelora Pharmachem supplies 2-phenoxyethanol (CAS 122-99-6) from its centralized sales office in Mumbai to cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, fragrance, ink and aquaculture buyers across India. Share the grade, quantity, packing and delivery location, and our team replies with price, lead time and documents, from sample lots for preservative-efficacy and stability studies to regular bulk supply in drums.
Global Sourcing
Our focus is the Indian market. When local supply is short, or you need a specific origin, a pharmacopoeia grade or a low-phenol cosmetic grade, our international sourcing desk brings 2-phenoxyethanol in from trusted producers abroad, and our Mumbai team handles import, documents and delivery to your plant.
Product Profile
The identifiers and properties purchase and QA teams ask for first. Batch values are always confirmed on the COA.
Identity
EC 204-589-7. Also sold as phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether or phenoxetol.
A phenyl ring linked by an ether oxygen to a –CH₂CH₂OH chain.
Appearance
Colourless, slightly viscous liquid with a faint rose-like odour. Boils at about 247 °C.
Solubility
In water at about 20 °C. Miscible with ethanol, acetone and glycerol; slightly soluble in vegetable oils.
Technical Data
Reference data for Phenoxyethanol, useful when writing a specification, checking an SDS or planning storage and transport.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name | 2-Phenoxyethan-1-ol (2-phenoxyethanol) |
| Synonyms | Phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, 2-hydroxyethyl phenyl ether, phenoxetol, phenyl cellosolve |
| CAS number | 122-99-6 |
| EC number | 204-589-7 |
| PubChem CID | 31236 |
| Molecular formula | C8H10O2 |
| Molar mass | 138.17 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colourless, slightly viscous, oily liquid with a faint rose-like odour |
| Melting point | Low; reported values range from about −2 °C to 14 °C, and it is normally handled as a liquid |
| Boiling point | About 245–247 °C |
| Density | About 1.10–1.11 g/cm³ at 20 °C (relative density 1.105–1.110, Ph. Eur.) |
| Refractive index | 1.537–1.539 (nD20) |
| Flash point | About 126 °C (closed cup) |
| Solubility in water | About 26 g/kg (roughly 2.6%) at 20 °C |
| Other solvents | Miscible with ethanol, acetone and glycerol; soluble in chloroform, diethyl ether and alkali; slightly soluble in arachis and olive oil |
| Partition coefficient | log Kow about 1.2 |
| HS code | 2909.49 (ether-alcohols); Indian tariff item 2909 49 10 (phenoxy ethanol) |
| Transport | Generally not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air; confirm with the batch SDS |
Literature values for reference. Supplied material is tested batch-wise and reported on the COA.
Applications
Its biggest job is keeping water-based cosmetics and medicines free of microbes, and the same molecule fixes perfumes, dissolves inks and resins, and calms fish.
Phenoxyethanol protects creams, lotions, shampoos, face washes, baby wipes and sunscreens against bacterial and yeast contamination during storage and use. The EU permits up to 1% in finished products, and most formulas use 0.5–1%, often with ethylhexylglycerin or other boosters in paraben-free systems.
EU limit up to 1%
Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative in some vaccines, notably inactivated polio vaccine, where IPOL contains 0.5% 2-phenoxyethanol, and in topical creams, gels and other pharmaceutical preparations. Pharmacopoeia monographs in the Ph. Eur., BP, USP-NF and IP set its quality for these uses.
Pharmacopoeia excipient
With a high boiling point, low volatility and a mild rose-like odour, phenoxyethanol slows the evaporation of lighter fragrance notes, helping perfumes, colognes and scented products last longer. It also dissolves many aroma chemicals and is the parent of fragrance esters such as phenoxyethyl isobutyrate.
Fragrance fixative
As a slow-evaporating, high-boiling glycol ether, phenoxyethanol dissolves dyes, cellulose acetate and many resins. It is used in ballpoint and stamp-pad inks, printing and screen inks, textile dye carriers and coatings, where it keeps ink flowing and avoids early drying on the pen tip or screen.
High-boiling solvent
Added to water, phenoxyethanol sedates or anaesthetises fish for handling, weighing, tagging, transport and research. Studies typically use a few hundred mg/L, depending on species, size and water temperature. Buyers using it on food fish should check the veterinary rules that apply in their market.
Aquaculture & research
Quality & Compliance
Every supply is backed by the documents your QA, regulatory and stores teams expect.
COA, batch-wise
Tests, limits and results for the exact batch you receive, shared before dispatch.
SDS / MSDS
Hazards, safe handling, storage, transport and first-aid measures for Phenoxyethanol.
Technical data
Typical properties and the specification we supply against, to match with your in-house spec.
On request
Additional documents for vendor approval and audits can be arranged on request.
Safety & Handling
A short summary for stores, production and EHS teams. It does not replace the Safety Data Sheet supplied with every batch.
Many producers classify it under GHS as harmful if swallowed and causing serious eye irritation, signal word Warning. Several SDS apply a stricter classification of serious eye damage (H318, signal word Danger), sometimes with respiratory irritation. It is a combustible liquid, flash point about 126 °C. Check the SDS of the batch for the classification that applies.
H302H319
Wear tightly fitting safety goggles or a face shield, chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing. Handle in a well-ventilated area, avoid breathing mist or vapour, and do not eat, drink or smoke while handling. Keep an eyewash station nearby and wash hands thoroughly after use.
Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated store, away from heat and ignition sources and from strong oxidising agents and acid anhydrides. Avoid strong heating, which can form combustible vapour–air mixtures.
2-Phenoxyethanol is generally not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air transport (ADR, IMDG, IATA), so no UN number or packing group applies, and it is not a marine pollutant. Confirm with the transport section of the batch SDS.
Absorb spills with inert material such as sand or vermiculite and collect into closed containers for disposal. It is readily biodegradable and not classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment, but large releases can harm aquatic life, so keep it out of drains, soil and water courses.
PAN India Delivery
From our centralized sales office in Mumbai, we supply Phenoxyethanol to buyers in every major manufacturing cluster.
MumbaiMumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Tarapur, Boisar, Pune and Aurangabad.
AhmedabadAhmedabad, Vadodara, Ankleshwar and Vapi.
HyderabadHyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
BaddiBaddi and Haridwar.
GoaPharma and chemical units across Goa.
BengaluruBengaluru and Chennai.
IndoreIndore, Pithampur and Sikkim.
Specification
A typical specification for pharmacopoeia-grade 2-phenoxyethanol (Ph. Eur. / BP). Share your in-house, USP-NF, IP or cosmetic-grade specification and we quote against it.
The Chemistry
Made
Phenol reacts with ethylene oxide, or with ethylene carbonate, in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, adding one –CH₂CH₂OH unit to the phenolic oxygen. The crude ether is separated from unreacted phenol and over-ethoxylated glycol ethers, then purified by vacuum distillation to the grade required.
Used
In an emulsion, phenoxyethanol is usually added to the water phase or after cooling, at 0.5–1.0% of the finished product, often blended with a booster such as ethylhexylglycerin. It partitions between oil and water, so formulators confirm its performance with a preservative-efficacy (challenge) test.
Tested
Each batch is reported on a COA covering appearance, identification, assay, refractive index, relative density, phenol and related substances, against the grade and pharmacopoeia you ordered, so your QC and QA teams can review and release it quickly.
Stored
Phenoxyethanol is stable under normal conditions. Keep drums tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated store away from heat, strong oxidising agents and acid anhydrides. It may thicken or partly solidify in cold weather; warm gently and mix before use, and follow the SDS for handling.
Glossary
Terms you will meet on quotations, specifications and documents for Phenoxyethanol.
FAQ
Anything else, call +91 98191 11179 or write to source@chelorapharmachem.com.
Request a Quote2-Phenoxyethanol (CAS 122-99-6) is mainly used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products, and in some vaccines and pharmaceutical preparations. It is also a fixative in perfumes, a solvent for inks, dyes, cellulose acetate and resins, an anaesthetic for fish in aquaculture and research, and an intermediate for phenoxyethyl esters and acrylates.
The CAS number is 122-99-6 and the EC number is 204-589-7. Its formula is C8H10O2 and its molar mass is 138.17 g/mol. Quoting the CAS number on your enquiry avoids confusion with similar-sounding substances such as 2-phenylethanol or phenoxypropanol.
Yes. 2-Phenoxyethanol, phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, 2-hydroxyethyl phenyl ether and phenoxetol are names for the same substance, CAS 122-99-6. Pharmacopoeias list it as Phenoxyethanol, and cosmetic ingredient lists use the INCI name Phenoxyethanol.
They are different molecules. Phenoxyethanol (CAS 122-99-6) has an oxygen atom between the benzene ring and the ethanol chain; phenethyl alcohol, or 2-phenylethanol (CAS 60-12-8), does not. Both have mild rose-like odours and both are used in cosmetics, but they have different properties, specifications and regulatory limits.
In the EU, Annex V of the Cosmetics Regulation allows phenoxyethanol as a preservative at up to 1% in the finished product, and Japan applies the same limit. Most formulas use 0.5–1%. Check the rules of each market where your product will be sold.
We supply pharmacopoeia grades to Ph. Eur./BP, USP-NF and IP, cosmetic grade for personal care, and technical grade for inks, resins and industrial use, subject to availability. Tell us the grade, application and any phenol or impurity limits when you enquire.
Keep it in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry and well-ventilated store, away from heat, ignition sources, strong oxidising agents and acid anhydrides. It may thicken or partly solidify in cold weather; warm gently and mix before use. Follow the SDS supplied with the batch.
2-Phenoxyethanol is generally classified under HS subheading 2909.49, which covers other ether-alcohols, and under tariff item 2909 49 10 (phenoxy ethanol) in India. Confirm the full national tariff code with your customs broker before import or export.
In concentrated form, yes. It is harmful if swallowed and irritating to the eyes, and many SDS classify it as causing serious eye damage. It is a combustible liquid with a flash point of about 126 °C. Read the SDS before handling, and use eye protection, gloves and good ventilation.
2-Phenoxyethanol is generally not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air transport, and it is not a marine pollutant. Always check the transport section of the SDS supplied with the batch.
We provide a batch-wise Certificate of Analysis (COA), SDS/MSDS and specifications. Additional documents for vendor qualification can be arranged on request.
Yes. We handle requirements from samples and trial lots for R&D, preservative-efficacy and stability studies and vendor approval up to regular bulk supply for commercial production, subject to product availability.
We supply buyers across India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, from our centralized sales office in Mumbai.
Email source@chelorapharmachem.com or source@cheloragroup.com, call +91 98191 11179, or use the enquiry form on this page. Include the quantity, grade, delivery location and target date.
Request a Quote
Tell us the quantity, grade and delivery location. Our centralized sales team replies with competitive pricing, lead time and documentation.
