Natural Skin Care - The Dangers of Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is the new darling of the skincare industry. It is increasingly turning up in cosmetics, many of which are labelled natural or organic, as a preservative. It is the alternative to parabens.

It has recently came to public attention in the US when the FDA issued a warning about its use in a cream, called Mommy Bliss, for nursing mothers.

The FDA warned that phenoxyethanol can cause shut down of the central nervous system, vomiting and contact dermatitis.

So what is phenoxyethanol and is it is really safer than parabens?

Phenoxyethanol is a glycol ether. Glycols are a series of chemicals that find their way into all sorts of things: paint, lacquer, jet fuel..... Phenoxyethanol is used as an anti-bacterial in cosmetics as well as a stabilizer in perfume.

The product's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) says that it phenoxyethanol is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin and that it can cause reproductive damage.

The MSDS refers to 100% concentrations. But is it safe at lower doses or should we try to avoid it? In cosmetics the concentrations are typically 0.5% to 1%.

There are several animal studies that demonstrate that it is toxic - with effects on the brain and the nervous system - at moderate concentrations.

In Japan, there is a concentration limit for its use in cosmetics.

We didn't want to take a chance with it in any of our products based on the evidence. In fact, we even created a detoxifying face mask to help get ingredients like this out of the system

In Europe, the European Union classifies it as an irritant and there are various studies (on rabbit skin, for example) that demonstrate reactions at low doses.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) data sheets and show chromosomal changes and genetic mutation effects in testing as well as testicular atrophy and interference with reproductivity in mice.

The Danish EPA suspected phenoxyethanol of being damaging to the environment and health. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) lists it as an irritant and toxic in varying concentrations. 

I also came across a report written by a medical professional who contracted allergies after coming into contact with phenoxyethanol in a detergent used for cleaning lab equipment. 

It seems it wasn't a fluke. There are over 3,000 known allergans and they were studied, along with the data from 9,948 patients, by a research team in Germany. Phenoxyethanol was in the top 10. An Italian study also determined that phenoxyethanol is a contact allergan.

An an American study shows that phenoxyethanol caused mild allergy on rabbit skin at a 2% concentration.

Do you want it in your skin care products, especially in your organic face cream and is it that much safer than parabens? 

All Organic Apoteke products are free of Phenoxyethanol and Parabens.