Phenethyl Alcohol
Aromatic alcohol with a natural rose scent. Dual function: preservative booster with antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria and a natural fragrance. An EU fragrance allergen requiring label declaration. Pregnancy-safe.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Moderate
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily
- Use with caution
- Sensitive
About this ingredient
Phenethyl Alcohol (2-phenylethanol) is an aromatic monohydric alcohol with a light rose-and-hyacinth scent. It occurs naturally in essential oils of rose (~75% of rose oil composition), neroli, and orange. In cosmetics it is used both as a natural fragrance and as a mild multifunctional preservative. INCI: Phenethyl Alcohol. Antimicrobial action. Effective against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and some yeasts. Weaker against gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas) and molds, which is why it is rarely used on its own. It is usually combined with ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, or caprylyl glycol for broad-spectrum protection. Use levels are 0.5-1.0%. Pregnancy safety. Topical use is safe at standard cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through intact skin is low. WHO classifies the daily intake from cosmetics as negligible. Skin tolerance. Low to moderate allergen potential. Listed among the 26 declared fragrance allergens in the EU (Reg. 1223/2009 Annex III) – it must be labeled separately above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. True contact allergy is rare, but patients with rose-oil allergy may react. Comparison with phenoxyethanol. Phenoxyethanol is a broader-spectrum preservative with no distinctive scent. Phenethyl alcohol is a niche ingredient for clean formulas that need both preservation and a natural rose note without separate fragrance compositions. No standalone cosmetic effects on the skin.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phenethyl Alcohol safe during pregnancy?
Phenethyl Alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Phenethyl Alcohol for?
Phenethyl Alcohol suits: normal, dry, combination, oily. Use with caution in: sensitive.
What is Phenethyl Alcohol and what does it do in cosmetics?
Aromatic alcohol with a natural rose scent.
Is Phenethyl Alcohol comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 0/5 – non-comedogenic. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for Phenethyl Alcohol?
The INCI name is Phenethyl Alcohol. It may also appear as: 2-Phenylethanol, Phenylethyl Alcohol.
See Phenethyl Alcohol in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Similar role in the formula
Other functional ingredients
Phenethyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylpropanol, Phosphate Buffered Saline, Sodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acacia Senegal Gum, CI 77007 (Ultramarines), Isobutylparaben
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