"Strong penalty" in the following categories :
Baby bubble bath, Wipes box, Baby set, Baby care set, Diaper cream, Baby cleansing water, Baby shower gel and cream, Baby bath oil, Baby massage oil, Baby oil, Nose hygiene, Baby cleansing milk, Baby milk and moisturizer, Baby disinfectant wipes, Baby cleaning wipes, Liniment, Baby washing foam, Baby solid soap, Physiological serum, Baby shampoo, 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash for baby, Milk crust care, First teeth care, Talc and powder
"Medium penalty" in all other categories.
- Origin(s): Synthetic
- Other languages: Fenossietanolo, Fenoxietanol
- INCI name: PHENOXYETHANOL
- EINECS/ELINCS number: 204-589-7
- Classification: Regulated, Alcohol, Preservative
Namely
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative known by the acronym EGPhE, widely used in cosmetics and increasingly controversial. Since 2012, the NASM (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products) has recommended that this preservative not be used in cosmetic products intended for babies and that its maximum content be set at 0.4% for other products intended for children under 3 years old. It also denounces its liver toxicity, its potentially harmful effects on reproduction as well as a number of other inconveniences: the conclusions of the 2012 NASM report are alarming.
In May 2018, the Temporary Specialized Scientific Committee (TSSC) responsible for the re-evaluation of phenoxyethanol at the European level, concluded: "The recommendation by the NASM of non-use of phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products intended for the seat must be maintained. It is desirable to extend it to wipes which are very usually also used to clean the seat of small children. In all other cosmetic products intended for children aged 3 years or less, the maximum concentration of phenoxyethanol could remain at 1%." The TSSC would therefore follow the NASM for wipes but not for concentration. In any case, legally, phenoxyethanol is still authorized in baby wipes!!!
Phenoxyethanol is produced by ethoxylation (a highly polluting chemical process) by reacting phenol and ethylene oxide at high temperature and pressure. Note, however, that phenoxyethanol is naturally present in green tea, but it is not this version of the compound that is used in cosmetics. Due to its manufacturing process, Phenoxyethanol is banned in organic products.
In May 2018, the Temporary Specialized Scientific Committee (TSSC) responsible for the re-evaluation of phenoxyethanol at the European level, concluded: "The recommendation by the NASM of non-use of phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products intended for the seat must be maintained. It is desirable to extend it to wipes which are very usually also used to clean the seat of small children. In all other cosmetic products intended for children aged 3 years or less, the maximum concentration of phenoxyethanol could remain at 1%." The TSSC would therefore follow the NASM for wipes but not for concentration. In any case, legally, phenoxyethanol is still authorized in baby wipes!!!
Phenoxyethanol is produced by ethoxylation (a highly polluting chemical process) by reacting phenol and ethylene oxide at high temperature and pressure. Note, however, that phenoxyethanol is naturally present in green tea, but it is not this version of the compound that is used in cosmetics. Due to its manufacturing process, Phenoxyethanol is banned in organic products.
Biodegradable :
Yes. Phenoxyethanol is considered to be readily biodegradable because biodegradation of more than 60% was achieved within 10 days of the start of biodegradation. (*)
Bioaccumulative :
No.
Log Kow 1.16
Log Kow 1.16
Restriction in Europe:
V/29
The maximum concentration allowed in a ready-to-use preparation is 1%.
The maximum concentration allowed in a ready-to-use preparation is 1%.
Its functions (INCI)
- Antimicrobial : Helps slowing the growth of micro-organisms on the skin and counteracts the development of microbes
- Preservative : Inhibits the development of microorganisms in cosmetic products.
This ingredient is present in 33.13% of cosmetics.
Products that contain them
