2-Phenoxyethanol

Phenoxyethanol is a preferred broad-spectrum preservative for leave-on sensitive-skin formulations with clinical sensitization rate of 0.3–1%, substantially lower than methylisothiazolinone (6–12%). EU SCCS confirmed safe at <1% including children aged 0–3 years. Best practice formulation: 0.19–0.29% combined with ethylhexylglycerin (0.3–0.8%) for enhanced efficacy and lowest sensitization risk.

Permitted; no US-specific concentration cap. EU SCCS safety confirmation at <1% includes all consumer groups. In practice, sensitive-skin leave-on products use 0.19–0.29% — well below regulatory limit. Best combined with ethylhexylglycerin (0.3–0.8%) and/or caprylyl glycol rather than used at maximum single-preservative dose. MI (methylisothiazolinone) is contraindicated for leave-on products — EU banned in leave-on since 2016; sensitization rate 6–12% in dermatitis patients.