Name Phenoxyethanol Description Phenoxyethanol is an aromatic ether alcohol. What does this mean? This ingredient starts out as phenol, a toxic white crystalline powder that's created from benzene (a known carcinogen) and then is treated with ethylene oxide (also a known carcinogen) and an alkali. Benefits Prevents bacterial growth in water-based formulas. Considerations • Contamination Concerns Can contain traces of carcinogenic ethylene oxide and its carcinogenic by-product, 1,4-dioxane. • Endocrine DisruptionSome studies have found phenoxyethanol to exhibit xenoestrogenic activity that may be passed through generations. (Ovarian toxicity.) • Skin IrritationCases of contact dermatitis from phenoxyethanol have been reported. Synonyms 2-PHENOXYETHANOLEthylene glycol monophenyl etherPhenyl cellosolvePhenoxetholEthanol, 2-phenoxy-Phenoxytol2-Phenoxyethan-1-OlEthylene glycol phenyl ether1-Hydroxy-2-phenoxyethanePhenoxetolPhenoxyethyl alcoholRose etherPhenylmonoglycol etherArosolFenyl-cellosolve2-FenoxyethanolDowanol EP2-Phenoxyethyl alcoholGlycol monophenyl ether2-Hydroxyethyl phenyl etherFenylcelosolvPhenylglycolDowanol EPH2-Phenoxy-ethanolbeta-Hydroxyethyl phenyl ether Research Sources https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26647990/https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/31236 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6351353/ https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Assessment-of-ethylene-glycol-monobutyl-and-ether-a-Heindel-Gulati/7b01e004ed58e571ecccbd5ff48fa57a64e44358https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20380876/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20380876/ Summary Ethoxylated chemical can be contaminated with carcinogenic ethylene oxide and/or 1,4-dioxane and a suspected endocrine disruptor.
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