Phenoxyethylparaben
Also known as: Phenoxyethylparaben (paraben)
INCI: Phenoxyethylparaben | Function: Preservative | Type: Paraben preservative
What Is Phenoxyethylparaben?
Phenoxyethylparaben 是一种 paraben 类防腐剂, 在 p-hydroxybenzoic acid 的对位羟基上接有 phenoxyethyl 基团。相比短链 parabens, 其分子量更大, 皮肤渗透性更低, 理论上安全性更好。EU 限制最高浓度 0.14% (as acid)。
Key Skin Benefits
- + Multi-functional: humectant + solvent + preservative booster
- + Skin moisturizing — propanediol backbone provides hydration
- + Enhances preservative efficacy
Pros
- + Triple function reduces formulation complexity
- + Good skin feel
- + Synergistic with phenoxyethanol
Cons
- − Synthetic — not suitable for natural certifications
- − May cause mild irritation at very high concentrations
- − Relatively new — less long-term data
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|
| Usage Areas | Face, Body, Hair |
| Product Type | Leave-On, Rinse-Off |
| Source | Synthetic |
| Natural Level | Synthetic |
Safety Ratings
| Metric | Rating |
|---|
| Skin Sensitivity | 0-1/5 |
| Comedogenic Rating | 0/5 |
| EWG Score | 4/10 |
Regional Regulatory Limits
| Region | Leave-on % | Rinse-off % | Status |
|---|
| EU (CosIng) | 0.14% (as acid) | 0.14% (as acid) | Allowed — Annex V, max 0.14% |
| US (CIR/FDA) | No limit | No limit | Allowed |
| Japan (MHLW) | 1.0% total parabens | 1.0% total parabens | Allowed |
| ASEAN | 0.14% (as acid) | 0.14% (as acid) | Allowed — follows EU |
| China (NMPA) | 0.14% (as acid) | 0.14% (as acid) | Allowed |
Typical Usage % by Product Type
| Product Type | Typical % |
|---|
| Moisturizer / lotion | 1–5% |
| Serum | 2–5% |
| Toner / essence | 1–3% |
References
- EU CosIng Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
- SCCS — Parabens opinion. https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/
- SpecialChem — Cosmetic database. https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/