In our reference data, Phenethyl Alcohol is a drying alcohol.
Phenethyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative and antimicrobial agent, and sometimes as a fragrance component with a mild rose-like scent. It is often combined with other preservatives to broaden antimicrobial coverage.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient stinging or irritation, more likely at higher concentrations or on compromised skin. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Sensitization reported in patch-test studies, though relatively infrequent. |
Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause irritation on direct ocular contact, relevant for facial or eye-area products. |
Contact urticaria | Very rare | Isolated reports of immediate hypersensitivity reactions. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.