While paraben preservatives seem to (finally!) fall out of favour, cosmetic industry, even its organic wing, is surprisingly tolerant to phenoxyethanol preservative. It often appears in the ingredients list of otherwise perfectly natural and even organic beauty products. Sometimes the manufacturer would add a clause “derived from grapefruits”. So is phenoxyethanol that safe?
Apparently, phenoxyethanol is no lesser evil than parabens. While it’s generally non-irritating and formaldehyde-free, it doesn’t mean it’s any better than parabens. Here’s why.
Meet phenoxyethanol, or ethylene glycol monophenyl ether. Already doesn’t sound too good, does it?
It’s really troubling that phenoxyethanol, glycolic ether that was once believed to be non-toxic, is becoming a “safe” alternative to parabens.
However, several animal studies clearly demonstrate toxicity of phenoxyethanol, which causes damaging effects on the brain and the nervous system, even at moderate concentrations. As a cosmetic ingredient, phenoxyethanol is restricted in Japan and the European Union. Even the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) data sheets show “chromosomal changes and genetic mutation effects in testing as well as testicular atrophy and reproductive damage in mice.”
In cosmetic formulations, phenoxyethanol is used to kill bacteria and stabilize the formulation. It’s often combined with polyquaterniums to balance its acidity. While it’s theoretically possible to derive phenoxyethanol from natural sources, beauty industry prefers a cheap synthetic phenoxyethanol that can be bought very cheaply from China.
I also came across over the interesting bit of research:
Phenoxyethanol breaks down to phenol and acetaldehyde, acetaldehyde converts to acetate. Phenol can disable the immune system’s primary response mechanism. Given that, it is at best ironic, that phenoxyethanol is used as an anti-bacterial in vaccines. Acetaldehyde occurs during the breakdown of ethanol, (alchohol and 2-phenoxyETHANOL), it is a suspected carcinogen. Inhalation studies have shown irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
(www.truthinaging.com)
All the warnings, however, refer to concentrated phenoxyethanol when it’s swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin of poor, helpless animals. Conventional chemists insist that phenoxyethanol is safe at lower doses, because in cosmetics the concentrations are typically 0.5% to 1%.
Now, what is 1% when it comes to a bottle of a lotion? 1% means 2 grams of pure 100% phenoxyethanol per 200 ml bottle of a lotion, a shampoo or a fragrance. It’s almost a teaspoonful! Does it make any difference if you rub it at once all over your body or you spread the damage and massage the toxin a drop at a time over a couple of months? It will end up inside your body in any case. Instead of a quick kill you simply opt for a slow kill, as Aubrey Hampton, the creator of Aubrey Organics, once said.
Unfortunately, phenoxyethanol can spoil even the purest and most organic of formulations. Spoil figuratively, of course, by making it far less organic as the manufacturer would want us to believe. So when you see phenoxyethanol listed on a bottle of so-called “organic” baby lotion, put it back on the shelf and look for a truly green, safe and healthy product.
Watch out for these nicknames of phenoxyethanol:
Dowanol
Arosol
Emery 6705
Phenoxetol
Rose ether (sounds really organic!!!)
Phenoxyethyl alcohol
Glycol monophenyl ether
Beta-hydroxyethyl phenyl ether
8 responses so far ↓
1 prussianette // Feb 18, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Four years ago I couldn’t figure out why my face suddenly ballooned up around my eyes and I looked like a reverse racoon with red completely encasing my eyes. I had to stop using my Revlon Colorstay makeup for it to calm down, and then tried a hypoallergenic makeup and did not have a reaction. I was okay for a while and then tried a face lotion from Olay, and boom– tingle, burn, red!! I cross referenced ingredients of the two products I reacted to vs products I did not react to and narrowed it down to the phenoxyethanol. Tried a sample of a third product that had nothing in common except the phenoxyethanol and same reaction! I can’t believe how many BABY products this stuff is in–organic or not! Interesting how this article mentions Aubrey Organics as this link http://www.organicanews.com/news/article.cfm?story_id=5 indicates Aubrey Organics supports the use of phenoxyethanol as a “safe and effective preservative”.
2 synesthesia // Mar 5, 2009 at 3:10 am
phenoxyethanol neurotoxicity: a report of three cases.
Morton WE.
Environmental Medicine Division, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
2-Phenoxyethanol, used as an anesthetic for handling small fish at a salmon hatchery, caused three women to experience headache and symptoms of intoxication during use, followed by diminished sensation and strength of hands and fingers, worse in the preferred hand. Persistent neuropathy did not develop in any of them. After 1 to 2 years of exposure, the women manifested gradual onset of symptoms of cognitive impairment with an inability to work. Neuropsychologic testing verified that all three had focal cognitive impairments that persisted. One also had documented labyrinthine hypofunction, which originated during this exposure. The immediate and delayed effects of 2-phenoxyethanol on the central nervous system resemble those of the other organic solvents.
PMID: 2324842 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
3 maryjean // Aug 24, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I must say that I am not amused to read such rubbish on a reputable site such as this.
Phenoxyethanol it must be said, is dangerous but only in high amounts; the amount used currently in cosmetics (namely shampoos, as it’s water soluble) is typically less than the stated safe level of 0.5%.
I have no doubt you can source Phenoxyethanol cheaply from China and many “reputable” cosmetic firms with institutional shareholders would do so without a second thought, but as a responsible company, we source Phenoxyethanol from a reputable supplier.
You cannot get more reputable than New Directions, can you? Our Phenoxyethanol is based purely on organic matter, non synthetic so please do not tarnish all cosmetic manufacturers with the same brush - it’s bad manners to do so.
If you do not want Parabens in your cosmetics (and we don’t either), then give me another alternative, regardless of it’s price, and I’ll gladly use it.
Until such a time, please review cosmetic ingredients more fairly, as at the moment all you are doing is clouding the subject with hype and ill researched facts.
The cosmetics industry as a whole needs to be cleaned up, and ourselves as a manufacturer are doing our part to get to the truth in regards to what is a real natural, and organic product.
But we also need your help, and at the moment you are not helping, in fact you are not part of the solution, but part of the problem.
To finish, please also remember, all chemicals, even those found in nature it’s self, if misused and abused, can lead to health issues.
Mary Jean
4 22 Weeks 3 days – Phenoxyethanol, the new paraben (Part 2) – My Journey to being healthy, pregnant and toxin free. // Mar 7, 2010 at 4:14 am
[...] “Now, what is 1% when it comes to a bottle of a lotion? 1% means 2 grams of pure 100% phenoxyethanol per 200 ml bottle of a lotion, a shampoo or a fragrance. It’s almost a teaspoonful! Does it make any difference if you rub it at once all over your body or you spread the damage and massage the toxin a drop at a time over a couple of months? It will end up inside your body in any case. Instead of a quick kill you simply opt for a slow kill, as Aubrey Hampton, the creator of Aubrey Organics, once said.” http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/?p=169 [...]
5 22 Weeks 5 days – Phenoxyethanol, the new paraben (Part 4) – My Journey to being healthy, pregnant and toxin free. // Mar 15, 2010 at 2:15 am
[...] “In cosmetic formulations, phenoxyethanol is used to kill bacteria and stabilize the formulation. It’s often combined with polyquaterniums to balance its acidity. While it’s theoretically possible to derive phenoxyethanol from natural sources, beauty industry prefers a cheap synthetic phenoxyethanol that can be bought very cheaply from China.” [...]
6 Toxic Terminology Decoded — Organic + Baby // Apr 2, 2010 at 11:26 am
[...] Phenoxyethanol - used as an anti-bacterial in cosmetics as well as a stabilizer in perfume. The FDA has warned that phenoxyethanol can cause shut down of the central nervous system, vomiting and contact dermatitis. It’s popping up more and more because companies are trying to go paraben-free and using this as an alternative. Read a better explanation on Truth In Aging or on the Green Beauty Guide blog. Also find it in the Chemical of the Day blog by Stephanie of Bubble & Bee. [...]
7 Jag fick ett mail om phenoxyethanol + långt svar « Naturligt Snygg // Apr 22, 2010 at 3:01 am
[...] Läsaren Pomo-Chan har också tipsat mig om amerikanska The Green Beautyguide som skriver så här om ämnet. [...]
8 phenoxyethanol (can be harmful - can product do without?) - CURLS forum: Questions, Answers, Tips and Trends for Curly Hair Types // May 17, 2010 at 4:59 pm
[...] phenoxyethanol (can be harmful - can product do without?) I have come across much information (studies etc.) on the harm that phenoxyethanol can cause and was surprised to see it on the ingredient list of many of the Curls products we use. Can the product stand to have this removed or will it change it’s effectiveness? Please respond/ inform on this issue. I have added a link with some information. I really have love your product and have been happy to see most of the really bad ingredients not included ( I think this one is used by many to replace another harmful ingredient ( but replacing one bad thing for another does not work). Phenoxyethanol: Preservative with Dirty Past [...]
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