Is Phenoxyethanol safe during pregnancy?
Very common preservative and a frequent paraben replacement. Considered safe at the usual 1% or less.
PregnancyGenerally safe
BreastfeedingGenerally safe
EvidenceLimited
What the sources say
A 2019 safety review says that, per the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, phenoxyethanol is safe for all consumers, including children of all ages, at up to 1% as a cosmetic preservative; animal effects appeared only at exposures about 200 times higher than consumer levels. It rarely causes allergies. No pregnancy-specific studies were found, so evidence is rated limited.
Also listed as
2-phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, euxyl pe 9010, phenoxytol
Sources
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.