Phenoxyethanol is an organic chemical compound — a glycol ether often used in dermatological products such as skin creams and sunscreen. It is a colorless oily liquid used in many applications such as cosmetics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals as a preservative.
It is also used as a fixative for perfumes, an insect repellent, a topical antiseptic, a solvent for cellulose acetate, some dyes, inks, and resins, in preservatives, pharmaceuticals, and in organic synthesis.
Phenoxyethanol is listed as an ingredient for many vaccines by the United States Center for Disease Control.
