Phenoxyethanol in Skin Care: A Natural Preservative?

Are you a concerned consumer about preservatives used in skin care products? Then you may have read of dangers of probable dangers used in the beauty industry. Some of the preservatives people evade are parabens and formaldehyde for good reasons. However, don't worry, as safer options such as phenoxyethanol are available. 

What is Phenoxyethanol (PE)

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative in green tea and chicory used in skin care products. The type used in these products is synthetic, but it emulates the natural version. For commercial use, the preservative is created synthetically in a laboratory. The end product is colorless, chemically stable, and antimicrobial against bacteria, yeasts, and mold. So the preservative on your skin is all-natural, although it has been made in the laboratory. 

Phenoxyethanol forms through a reaction between phenol(EU) and ethylene (EU). Besides being used in skin care, it has also been used as a vaccine. Unfortunately, most people have used the product unknowingly because many creams and preservatives have it. You can find it in creams and moisturizers, so it's important to know everything about this preservative.

But first, is phenoxyethanol safe for your skin?

As per the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the preservative is safe if used in 1% or small concentrations. This product has become popular in the last few years in the skin care industry. However, if you use the preservative in high concentrations, it can irritate your skin.

When phenoxyethanol is used in small quantities, it's very beneficial. However, if used in large quantities over a long time, it can cause some issues. This is because any ingredient cannot favor every person's skin on earth, no matter how natural. But you must remember that babies or infants under three should not ingest phenoxyethanol. Therefore, it's essential to avoid applying any skincare product with phenoxyethanol on spots where the baby cannot lick or suckle. So, what are the benefits of phenoxyethanol?

Benefits of phenoxyethanol

The preservative has a lot of benefits in skin care products. They include:

Lengthens the shelf life of products- Without preservatives, the skin care products would last for a very short time. However, it means they could be probable carriers of bacteria and fungi that would cause infections.It's chemically stable- This means it's safe and won't change the state or scent of your skin care. It's also biodegradable, which is great for the environment, and smells good.It's safer than other preservatives- The preservative is safer than others, such as parabens and formaldehyde. For example, paraben may mimic estrogen, which can raise the chances of breast cancer. But this is safer than formaldehyde which is said to be a harmful carcinogen. It causes brain cancer, leukemia, and other rare cancers.

Over the years, the beauty sector has grown. So, people in the industry have embraced phenoxyethanol to preserve the products. When you use it in small concentrations, it's good for your skin and has many benefits. It prolongs shelf life and is chemically stable, meaning it won't change the product's fragrance.

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