An aromatic glycol ether used as a preservative and solvent, regulated in Annexes III and V.
What it is
Phenoxyisopropanol is 1-phenoxypropan-2-ol, an aromatic glycol ether related to phenoxyethanol. CosIng lists it as a preservative and solvent. In the EU it is covered by entries in Annex III (substances subject to restrictions) and Annex V (allowed preservatives).
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits and conditions; according to both entries it is for rinse-off products only, and the Annex III entry excludes oral products.
Functions
- Preservative
- Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
- Solvent
- Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).
EU regulation
- Product type
- Only for rinse-off products
- Maximum concentration
- 1.0%
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223
- Product type
- Rinse-off products Not to be used in oral products
- Maximum concentration
- 2%
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223
Safety Gate alerts (EU)
1 alerts about dangerous cosmetics in the EU mention this substance. An alert concerns a specific product, usually one that breaks EU rules.
See all alerts →