Phenylethyl-Alcohol

INCI Name: Phenethyl Alcohol

Phenylethyl alcohol is a naturally occurring but also synthetically produced aromatic alcohol that is often used in the cosmetics and fragrance industry.
Natural origin: Phenylethyl alcohol is found in many plants, such as roses, carnations and orange blossoms, so it can give products a delicate, slightly floral scent. This aromatic property is often used in perfumes and scented products.

Mild preservative: Due to its antimicrobial properties, it can also be used as a mild preservative, although it is not as strong as, for example, phenoxyethanol. It is often combined with other preservatives to increase the microbial stability of products.

As a fragrance and preservative: It is most often present as a fragrance in cosmetics, but it can also be found as a preservative in some skin care products.
Gentle on the skin: Generally well tolerated, but higher concentrations may cause irritation in people with sensitive skin. In cosmetic products, they are usually used in low concentrations to minimize the potential for irritation.

The advantage of phenylethyl alcohol is that it can contribute to the quality of the product as a source of natural fragrance and as a mild preservative. Because of these properties, it is often used in creams, serums, shampoos and various scented products.