Re: 2-Phenoxyethanol

[Guest guest]

>Is this 2-Phenoxyethanol the same ingredient as the one in the optiphen?

Yes.

FWIW:

Final report on the safety assessment of phenoxyethanol.

J Am Coll Toxicol Vol:9, 2 (1990) pp 259-88

Abstract:

Phenoxyethanol is an aromatic ether which is used in cosmetics as a

preservative at concentrations below 1% and as fixative for perfumes.

According to the classification scheme of Hodge and Sterner,

Phenoxyethanol is practically nontoxic when administered orally or

dermally to rats. In a subchronic oral toxicity study in rats of

Phenoxyethanol, signs of toxicity included reduced body weight and an

impaired ability to utilize feed. Increased liver, kidney, and thyroid

weights were noted at necropsy in surviving rats. Undiluted

Phenoxyethanol was a strong eye irritant, but was nonirritating when

tested at 2.2%. Phenoxyethanol at 2.0% was a slight irritant to rabbit

skin, but was neither an irritant nor sensitizer to guinea pig skin. In

dermal treatment studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither teratogenic,

embryotoxic, of fetotoxic at doses which were maternally toxic.

Phenoxyethanol was nonmutagenic in the Ames test, with and without

metabolic activation, and in the mouse micronucleus test. In clinical

studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither a primary irritant nor sensitizer.

Phenoxyethanol was not phototoxic in clinical studies. It is concluded

that Phenoxyethanol is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present

practices of use and concentration.

Maurice

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Maurice O. Hevey

Convergent Cosmetics, Inc.

http://www.ConvergentCosmetics.com

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[Guest guest]

Thanks Maurice! Whew, I got a little nervous there for a minute! (can

you say " lawsuit " ?) LOL

> Final report on the safety assessment of phenoxyethanol.

> J Am Coll Toxicol Vol:9, 2 (1990) pp 259-88

In clinical

> studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither a primary irritant nor

sensitizer. Phenoxyethanol was not phototoxic in clinical studies.

It is concluded that Phenoxyethanol is safe as a cosmetic ingredient

in the present practices of use and concentration.

[Guest guest]

>Thanks Maurice! Whew, I got a little nervous there for a minute!

Not to worry!

Here's info on Phenoxyethanol

Clariant.

Phenoxetol

2-phenoxyethanol

http://fun.clariant.com/fun/e2wtools.nsf/lookupDownloads/PHENOXETOL.pdf/$FILE/PH\

ENOXETOL.pdf

Benefits of Phenoxetol

Phenoxyethanol offers the following benefits to the formulator:

o Broad spectrum activity including Gramnegative and Gram-positive

bacteria, yeasts and moulds

o Particularly effective against Pseudomonas spp. and other problematic

Gram-negative bacteria

o Stable and effective over the range pH 3.0 - 8.5

o Non-irritating to eyes, skin or mucous membranes at normal use

concentrations

o No evidence of skin sensitisation

o Retains activity in the presence of proteins and nonionic surfactants

and most other common ingredients of personal care products

o Low volatility at ambient temperatures - no loss of preservative,

even on prolonged storage

o Stable at elevated temperatures in excess of 80C.

o Ease of liquid handling

o Approximately 2.4% soluble in water - significantly above typical use

concentrations

Applications

Phenoxetol may be used in detergent based products such as shampoos and

bath foams at concentrations between 0.5 - 1.0%.

Phenoxetol is not inactivated by proteins and may be used in

protein-based products, also at concentrations between 0.5 - 1.0%.

Lower concentrations of Phenoxetol may be used in combination with

other preservatives such as parabens to boost the antifungal activity.

Phenoxetol, and combinations including Phenoxetol are used to preserve

a wide range of formulation types including skin care products,

foundations, hair products and eye make-up preparations.

Use of Phenoxetol

Phenoxetol is readily soluble in many non-aqueous ingredients and may

be added directly to detergent-based products without heating. In

emulsions, Phenoxetol may be added to either phase prior to

emulsification, or immediately afterwards with continued rapid mixing.

Phenoxetol is also used in many broad spectrum liquid blends of

preservatives, contributing its dual advantages of solvency and

activity. Separate literature is available from Clariant on these

blends (Phenonip, Nipaguard BPX, Nipaguard TBK).

Regulatory Status INCI Name - phenoxyethanol Japanese name -

2-phenoxyethanol (Ingredient Code 100125) CAS number - 122-99-6 EINECS

number - 204-589-7

Phenoxyethanol is permitted for use in personal care products in the

European Union and Japan to a maximum concentration of 1.0%

In the USA, Phenoxetol is a permitted preservative, designated 'safe as

used'.

Phenoxetol is permitted in Japan in all product categories to a maximum

concentration of 1.0%

Phenoxetol is permitted in most countries up to a maximum of 1%, but

please note that, in Mexico, the maximum permitted concentration is

0.3%.

Toxicological Information Under the scope of the UK CHIP Regulations

(1997) and European Directive 91/155/EC Phenoxetol, as supplied, is

classified as harmful by ingestion and irritating to eyes. At typical

use concentrations, however, there is no evidence that Phenoxetol is

either harmful when swallowed, or irritating to eyes.

In human studies, patch testing of 2736 dermatitis patients using 1%

phenoxyethanol in petrolatum gave no observable irritation, and only

one possible case of sensitisation was identified.

In a biodegradability test using phenoxyethanol in stagnant water, the

dissolved organic carbon was reduced by >70%, indicating that

phenoxyethanol is biodegradable.

Maurice

--------------------------------------------------------

Maurice O. Hevey

Convergent Cosmetics, Inc.

http://www.ConvergentCosmetics.com

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