Phenoxyethanol is an organic compound often used in skin care products. It can be synthesized by etherification of ethylene glycol and phenol. It is commonly used in skin care cream and sunscreen. Phenoxyethanol is a colorless slightly viscous liquid with aromatic odor, slightly soluble in water, and easily soluble in ethanol and sodium hydroxide.

It has antibacterial effect (generally used with quaternary ammonium salt) and is often used as a substitute for highly toxic sodium azide in biological buffer solution, because 2-phenoxyethanol has low toxicity and is not chemically active against copper and lead. In cosmetics, skin care products, vaccines and drugs, it usually plays the role of antiseptic.

Phenoxyethanol, as a drug for surgery; Antiseptic alcohol. This product has a strong killing effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a weak effect on other gram-negative bacteria and positive bacteria. Its 2% solution or emulsion can be used to treat surface wounds, burns and abscesses caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Phenoxyethanol can be used as fixative in perfume, insect repellent, external disinfectant, cellulose acetate solvent, dye, ink, resin, antiseptic and other medical uses. In addition, it is also used as an anesthetic for fish in the aquaculture industry. It is also listed by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention as one of the ingredients of many US vaccines. In Japan, the use of phenoxyethanol in cosmetics is monitored.