Why I don’t like Phenoxyethanol??

🧪Phenoxyethanol was introduced around 1950 and today it can be used in up to 1% of cosmetics worldwide and is deemed safe.

🧪Phenoxyethanol is a hidden “Fragrance” ingredient and also used as a preservative. It can be found in nature such as in green tea, but now the version used in cosmetics is synthetic and this is where the problem lies.

🧪The synthetic version can cause irritation to the skin, eyes or lungs. It is absorbed by the skin. Effects from exposure can include eye irritation, headaches, tremors and central nervous system depression. It needs to be used within concentration limitations.

🧪It is completely restricted in Japan as studies have found it to cause central nervous depression, and it’s a skin, eye and lung irritant.

🧪Keep an eye out as it’s often listed last on a label due to its small concentration amount. But what I really don’t like is that the synthetic version is Petroleum derived. It 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.

🧪Even if they only used this ingredient in a low concentration, take a look at the products you use on your skin around the home because that 1% across multiple products can add up to your overall toxic load.