Data: Good
Phenoxyethanol
- Products with this ingredient are allowed for use in EWG VERIFIED but must meet use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.
- This ingredient's score is higher if used in product forms that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns. The score is lower if used in product forms that have lower risk of inhalation (e.g., solids, liquids)
- This ingredient's score is higher if used in products that may not meet industry safety guidelines or U.S. and international government requirements. The score will be lower if used in products that meet these safety guidelines and requirements.
Other Concerns
Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low_moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), and Occupational hazards (moderate)SYNONYMS
Restricted
Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products.
Common concerns
See how this product scores for common concerns.
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LOWCancer
-
LOWAllergies & Immunotoxicity
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LOWDevelopmental and Reproductive Toxicity
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MODERATEUse Restrictions
Ingredient concerns
- CONCERNS
- DATA SOURCES
Products with this Ingredient
facial moisturizer/treatment | 2161 products |
anti-aging | 244 products |
around-eye cream | 592 products |
conditioner | 2402 products |
shampoo | 1867 products |
styling gel/lotion | 734 products |
hair spray | 255 products |
after shave | 106 products |
hand cream | 613 products |
antiperspirant/deodorant | 103 products |
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's) | 18 products |
body firming lotion | 464 products |
bronzer/highlighter | 1293 products |
foundation | 5053 products |
makeup primer | 565 products |
setting powder/spray | 387 products |
concealer | 2652 products |
hair treatment/serum | 1247 products |
moisturizer | 2392 products |
foot moisturizer | 107 products |
body wash/cleanser | 1171 products |
exfoliant/scrub | 871 products |
mask | 1817 products |
facial cleanser | 1225 products |
eye makeup remover | 41 products |
after sun product | 114 products |
shaving cream | 209 products |
sunless tanning | 282 products |
baby shampoo | 112 products |
baby soap | 78 products |
baby wipes | 114 products |
damaged skin treatment | 32 products |
makeup remover | 330 products |
shaving cream (men's) | 77 products |
hair styling aid | 1377 products |
styling mousse/foam | 237 products |
hair-loss treatment | 34 products |
hair color and bleaching | 499 products |
CC cream | 164 products |
Hair Styling Gel | 69 products |
brow liner | 1000 products |
lip gloss | 1549 products |
eye shadow | 2685 products |
tanning oil | 20 products |
facial powder | 458 products |
mascara | 1167 products |
BB cream | 198 products |
eye liner | 1213 products |
lip balm | 936 products |
lipstick | 2761 products |
toners/astringents | 447 products |
skin fading/lightener | 26 products |
Putties, Puddings & Clays | 7 products |
blush | 1106 products |
body spray | 97 products |
liquid hand soap | 508 products |
oil controller | 20 products |
serums & essences | 1360 products |
detangler | 183 products |
body oil | 80 products |
bubble bath | 150 products |
nail treatment | 32 products |
hair relaxer | 11 products |
muscle/joint soreness | 29 products |
daily use with SPF | 641 products |
cuticle treatment | 25 products |
Beard Soaps | 3 products |
Eye Shadow Primers | 5 products |
Other Hair Care Preparations | 11 products |
Under Eye Concealers | 28 products |
nail polish | 111 products |
body art | 19 products |
glitter | 145 products |
Blotting Paper | 1 products |
lip liner | 249 products |
body powder | 19 products |
polish remover | 11 products |
recreational sunscreen | 303 products |
hand sanitizer | 92 products |
Bath and Body Wipes | 31 products |
eyelash glue | 128 products |
Lip Stain | 31 products |
foot cleansing | 34 products |
beard care | 72 products |
Oils & Serums | 68 products |
lip plumper | 209 products |
Exfoliants | 26 products |
beard cleanser | 41 products |
Face Wipes | 11 products |
Beard Conditioners | 9 products |
pore strips | 25 products |
Moisturizing Socks | 4 products |
bar soap | 44 products |
baby sunscreen | 31 products |
baby lotion | 128 products |
diaper cream | 15 products |
foot odor control | 19 products |
bath oil/salts/soak | 93 products |
Dry Shampoo and Hair Powders | 14 products |
other eye makeup | 40 products |
baby bubble bath | 22 products |
baby oil | 7 products |
Fragrance Lotion or Cream | 2 products |
vapor rubs | 4 products |
fragrance for men | 4 products |
nail glue | 20 products |
depilatory | 9 products |
beard oil | 8 products |
Nail Creams and Lotions | 1 products |
fragrance for women | 27 products |
Novelty Makeup | 1 products |
hair removal waxes | 10 products |
Facial Sun Care | 35 products |
tooth whitening | 2 products |
lip balm with SPF | 4 products |
Wipes | 17 products |
Preshave Preparations | 10 products |
other men's products | 2 products |
acne treatment | 8 products |
hair perm | 1 products |
Nail Art and Jewelry | 1 products |
toothpaste | 2 products |
scar treatment | 1 products |
Decollete and Neck Creams | 2 products |
Facial Cleansing Water | 7 products |
chemical peel | 1 products |
Fragrance Powder | 1 products |
baby powder | 1 products |
exfoliant/scrub - large particle | 2 products |
Tanning Sprays | 1 products |
Massaging Preparations | 2 products |
Eczema OTC | 1 products |
Baby Hair Conditioner | 1 products |
mouthwash | 1 products |
Allergies/immunotoxicity
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity or allergies | Hypersensitivity reactions to vaccine components(2005-09-01) |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Limited evidence of nervous toxicity | HazMap database(2012-01-01) |
Classified as toxic or harmful | EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes |
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | Environment Canada |
Classified as a low human health priority | Environment Canada |
Ecotoxicology
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Wildlife and environmental toxicity | EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes |
Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environment Canada |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Classified as any irritant | EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes |
Occupational hazards
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes |
Data gaps
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) |
Informational
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - any | Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Not suspected to be persistent | Environment Canada |
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative | Environment Canada |
Use restrictions
CONCERN | REFERENCE |
---|---|
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit) | Japan Ministry of Health |
- Hypersensitivity reactions to vaccine components(2005-09-01)
- HazMap database(2012-01-01)
- EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes
- Environment Canada
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Japan Ministry of Health
Understanding scores
Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.
Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES
Hazard score
The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.
Data availability
The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.