Phenoxyethanol is an organic compound often used in skin care products. It can be synthesized by etherification of ethylene glycol and phenol. It is commonly used in skin care cream and sunscreen. Phenoxyethanol is a colorless and slightly viscous liquid with aromatic smell. It is slightly soluble in water and is easily soluble in ethanol and sodium hydroxide.
It has antibacterial effect (generally used with quaternary ammonium salt), and is often used as a substitute for highly toxic sodium azide in biological buffer solution, because 2-phenoxyethanol has low toxicity and is not chemically active to copper and lead. In cosmetics, skin care products, vaccines and drugs usually play the role of preservatives.
