U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Divider Arrow National Institutes of Health Divider Arrow NCATS

Details

Stereochemistry ACHIRAL
Molecular Formula C8H10O2
Molecular Weight 138.1638
Optical Activity NONE
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 0
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of PHENOXYETHANOL

SMILES

OCCOC1=CC=CC=C1

InChI

InChIKey=QCDWFXQBSFUVSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI=1S/C8H10O2/c9-6-7-10-8-4-2-1-3-5-8/h1-5,9H,6-7H2

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Description
Curator's Comment: Description was created based on several sources, including https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/704811/PHENOXYETHANOL/ and http://www.kliinikum.ee/haiglaapteek/attachments/article/51/Octenisept%20(ENG).pdf

Phenoxyethanol, also known as Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether, is a glycol ether and bactericide (that functions as a disinfectant, antiseptic or antibiotic) that is primarily used as a preservative in cosmetics and beauty products. It is used as a preservative in vaccines. Phenoxyethanol is included in topical antiseptic solutions, like octenisept used for the treatment of traumatic, acute, chronic, surgical and burn wounds, the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, acne lesions and as the mucous membrane antiseptic.

Originator

Curator's Comment: The first widespread use of Phenoxyethanol was in a preservative blend called Phenonip™ (EU) (Nipa Labs, now Clariant (EU)) which was formulated in combination with parabens (EU).

Approval Year

Targets

Targets

Primary TargetPharmacologyConditionPotency
Target ID: Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth
Target ID: Staphylococcus aureus growth
Conditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Curative
Octenisept

Approved Use

Application areas: Wound treatment Antiseptic treatment of traumatic, acute, chronic, surgical and burn wounds. Mocous membrane antiseptic • prior to diagnostic and surgical interventions in the anogenital (e.g. before obliteration of haemorrids), the urogenital area (e.g. before placing an intra-uterine device (IUD), the vaginal area, before prenatal, intranatal and postnatal manipulations) and in the oral cavity (e.g. before tooth extractions) • before placing urinary tract catheters • for preop. skin antisepsis in the area close to mucous membranes MRSA • for antimicrobial whole body wash with MRSA colonised patients
Curative
Octenisept

Approved Use

Application areas: Wound treatment Antiseptic treatment of traumatic, acute, chronic, surgical and burn wounds. Mocous membrane antiseptic • prior to diagnostic and surgical interventions in the anogenital (e.g. before obliteration of haemorrids), the urogenital area (e.g. before placing an intra-uterine device (IUD), the vaginal area, before prenatal, intranatal and postnatal manipulations) and in the oral cavity (e.g. before tooth extractions) • before placing urinary tract catheters • for preop. skin antisepsis in the area close to mucous membranes MRSA • for antimicrobial whole body wash with MRSA colonised patients
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
Ocular symptoms, tear film stability, nasal patency, and biomarkers in nasal lavage in indoor painters in relation to emissions from water-based paint.
2010-10
The impact of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether on ovarian function may extend to the next generation in female mice: a preliminary study.
2010-07
Comparison of local metronidazole and a local antiseptic in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
2010-07
Aerobic oxidation of lignin models using a base metal vanadium catalyst.
2010-06-21
Bisphenol A in oocytes leads to growth suppression and altered stress performance in juvenile rainbow trout.
2010-05-20
The production of fluorescent transgenic trout to study in vitro myogenic cell differentiation.
2010-05-17
Monitoring stress in fish by applying image analysis to their skin mucous cells.
2010-05-10
The relative toxicity of compounds used as preservatives in vaccines and biologics.
2010-05
Differential expression of the heat shock protein Hsp70 in natural populations of the tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron, acclimatised to a range of environmental salinities.
2010-04-29
Consumer exposure to biocides--identification of relevant sources and evaluation of possible health effects.
2010-02-03
The effect of a combination of 0.1% octenidine dihydrochloride and 2% 2-phenoxyethanol (octenisept) on wound healing in pigs in vivo and its in vitro percutaneous permeation through intact and barrier disrupted porcine skin.
2010-02
Comparative transcriptomic analysis of follicle-enclosed oocyte maturational and developmental competence acquisition in two non-mammalian vertebrates.
2010-01-08
Contact urticaria due to phenoxyethanol in an aftershave.
2009-10-07
Contact dermatitis due to use of Octenisept in wound care.
2009-09
Minimal change nephrotic syndrome in an 82 year old patient following a tetanus-diphteria-poliomyelitis-vaccination.
2009-08-05
Two new phenylglycol derivatives isolated from Syringa reticulata var. mandshurica and their antifungal activities.
2009-08
[Contact sensitization to Euxyl K-400].
2009-04
A large new subset of TRIM genes highly diversified by duplication and positive selection in teleost fish.
2009-02-05
The fate of the duplicated androgen receptor in fishes: a late neofunctionalization event?
2008-12-18
Genomic resources for a commercial flatfish, the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis): EST sequencing, oligo microarray design, and development of the Soleamold bioinformatic platform.
2008-10-30
Changes induced by dietary energy intake and divergent selection for muscle fat content in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), assessed by transcriptome and proteome analysis of the liver.
2008-10-29
In silico identification and molecular characterization of genes predominantly expressed in the fish oocyte.
2008-10-23
Comparison of acute toxicity of 2-phenoxyethanol and clove oil to juvenile and embryonic stages of Danio rerio.
2008-10
Simultaneous determination of 21 preservatives in cosmetics by ultra performance liquid chromatography.
2008-10
[Simultaneous determination of adapalene, 2-phenoxyethanol and methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate in adapalene gels using high performance liquid chromatography].
2008-09
2-Phenoxyethanol as anaesthetic in removing relocating 102 species of fishes representing from Sea World to uShaka Marine World, South Africa.
2008-09
Efficacy of octenidine dihydrochloride and 2-phenoxyethanol in the topical treatment of inflammatory acne.
2008-09
Skin protection creams in medical settings: successful or evil?
2008-07-25
Selective gray matter staining of human brain slices: optimized use of cadaver materials.
2008-06
Contact hypersensitivity to selected excipients of dermatological topical preparations and cosmetics in patients with chronic eczema.
2008-06
Development of an SPME-GC-MS/MS procedure for the monitoring of 2-phenoxyethanol in anaesthetised fish.
2008-05-30
The Tg(ccnb1:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish line labels proliferating cells during retinal development and regeneration.
2008-05-19
Plasma 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and mineralocorticoid receptor testicular expression during rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss spermiation: implication with 17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxyprogesterone on the milt fluidity?
2008-05-19
Determination of household chemicals using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.
2008-05-09
The impact of meteorological conditions on patch test results with 12 standard series allergens (fragrances, biocides, topical ingredients).
2008-04
Determination of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for early maturation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
2008-02-01
Effect of Octenisept antiseptic on bioburden of neoplastic ulcers in patients with advanced cancer.
2008-01
A simple and rapid method for quantifying 2-phenoxyethanol (2-PE) in Diphtheria, Tetanus and w-Pertussis (DTwP) vaccine.
2008-01
Antimicrobial preservative use in parenteral products: past and present.
2007-12
Dynamic gene expression in fish muscle during recovery growth induced by a fasting-refeeding schedule.
2007-11-28
Preparation and solution behavior of a thermoresponsive diblock copolymer of poly(ethyl glycidyl ether) and poly(ethylene oxide).
2007-08-28
Some observations on the diffusion of antimicrobial agents through the retention balloons of foley catheters.
2007-08
Neutral genetic drift can alter promiscuous protein functions, potentially aiding functional evolution.
2007-06-28
Developmental expression of DAX1 in the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax: lack of evidence for sexual dimorphism during sex differentiation.
2007-05-30
[Effect of 2-phenoxyethanol on potency of Sabin inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine and its safety].
2007-03
Comparison of objective and sensory skin irritations of several cosmetic preservatives.
2007-03
Role of (3Z,6Z,8E)-dodecatrien-1-ol in trail following, feeding, and mating behavior of Reticulitermes hesperus.
2007-02
Ballpoint pen inks: the quantitative analysis of ink solvents on paper by solid-phase microextraction.
2007-01
Intraperitoneal octenidindihydro-chloride - phenoxyethanol solution to prevent peritoneal adhesion formation in a rat peritonitis model.
2007
Influence of anatomical site and topical formulation on skin penetration of sunscreens.
2005-09
Patents

Sample Use Guides

100g of octenisept solution contains: Octenidine dihydrochloride 0.1g, 2-Phenoxyethanol (Ph.Eur.) 2.0g Moisturize the treated area evenly and thoroughly with the antiseptic. • Swab method: Rub concerned areas with saturated swabs. Swabbing is the prefered method of application. • Spray method: In individual cases spray octenisept® directly on poorly accessible areas of the skin and mucous membrane. Make sure all areas are evenly moistened.
Route of Administration: Topical
In Vitro Use Guide
Phenoxyethanol inhibited PE-sensitive strain of P. aeruginosa with MIC 33 ug/L
Name Type Language
2-PHENOXYETHANOL
MI  
Preferred Name English
PHENOXYETHANOL
EP   HSDB   II   INCI   MART.   USP-RS   WHO-DD  
INCI  
Official Name English
2-PHENOXYETHANOL [MI]
Common Name English
PHENOXETHOL
Common Name English
.BETA.-HYDROXYETHYL PHENYL ETHER
Systematic Name English
PHENOXYETHANOL [MART.]
Common Name English
ETHYLENE GLYCOL PHENYL ETHER
Systematic Name English
NSC-1864
Code English
Phenoxyethanol [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
FEMA NO. 4620
Code English
PHENOXYETHANOL [EP MONOGRAPH]
Common Name English
PHENYL CELLOSOLVE
Brand Name English
ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOPHENYL ETHER
Systematic Name English
PHENOXYETHANOL [USP-RS]
Common Name English
BETA-PHENOXYETHANOL
Systematic Name English
1-HYDROXY-2-PHENOXYETHANE
Systematic Name English
PHENOXYETHANOL [HSDB]
Common Name English
PHENOXYETHANOL [II]
Common Name English
Classification Tree Code System Code
NCI_THESAURUS C28394
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:16:57 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:16:57 GMT 2025
Code System Code Type Description
EPA CompTox
DTXSID9021976
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PRIMARY
NSC
1864
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PRIMARY
MERCK INDEX
m8639
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PRIMARY Merck Index
NCI_THESAURUS
C77054
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PRIMARY
MESH
C005398
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PRIMARY
DAILYMED
HIE492ZZ3T
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PRIMARY
WIKIPEDIA
PHENOXYETHANOL
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PRIMARY
FDA UNII
HIE492ZZ3T
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PRIMARY
RS_ITEM_NUM
1526200
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PRIMARY
CAS
122-99-6
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PRIMARY
DRUG BANK
DB11304
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PRIMARY
HSDB
5595
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PRIMARY
ECHA (EC/EINECS)
204-589-7
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PRIMARY
RXCUI
89552
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PRIMARY RxNorm
EVMPD
SUB12553MIG
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PRIMARY
DRUG CENTRAL
3442
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PRIMARY
SMS_ID
100000092818
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PRIMARY
PUBCHEM
31236
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PRIMARY
CHEBI
64275
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:16:57 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 18:16:57 GMT 2025
PRIMARY