Phenoxyethanol in cosmetics: positive, negative, almost indispensable

Phenoxyethanol in cosmetics: positive, negative, almost indispensable
Properties

phenoxyethanol cosmetics Phenoxyethanol - a new "favorite of" cosmetic industry, a substance that is beginning to be widely used instead of parabens. Its possible harm only recently began to speak when phenoxyethanol was quite a large number found in a cream for nursing mothers. Scientists have warned that phenoxyethanol may cause malfunction of the central nervous system, vomiting, and contact dermatitis. So what is phenoxyethanol, whether it is safer than parabens, and whether it should be avoided?

Phenoxyethanol relates to glycol; glycols are in a very wide range of products - paints, varnishes, jet fuel, and much more. In cosmetics phenoxyethanol is used as an antibacterial agent, and a stabilizer in flavors, and preservatives.

Risks

It is known that phenoxyethanol is harmful if swallowed, inhaled, and absorption through the skin. In particular, it can cause serious malfunctions of the reproductive system. However, this information relates to one hundred percent phenoxyethanol. The usual concentration of the substance in the cosmetic composition ranges from 0 5% to 1%.

Several animal studies have shown that moderate concentrations of phenoxyethanol is toxic - including a negative impact on the brain and nervous system.

In experiments on mice phenoxyethanol cause chromosomal changes, genetic mutations, as well as testicular atrophy and reproductive disorders. Furthermore, phenoxyethanol became bladder damage, and acute pulmonary edema in laboratory animals.

In Japan, the permissible concentration in phenoxyethanol cosmetic composition is strictly limited. In the European Union it is classified as an irritant, and its use is also limited.

A team of scientists from Germany conducted a survey of 3000 allergens, involving 9948 subjects. The study phenoxyethanol was in the top ten potential allergens. At the same time, other studies show that phenoxyethanol when exposed to rabbit skin in only 2% of cases cause allergic reactions.

There are indications that phenoxyethanol may be a neurotoxin. Phenoxyethanol is cleaved to phenol and acetaldehyde and acetaldehyde is converted into the acetate. Phenol can disrupt the basic mechanisms of the immune system. Given this, it would seem at least strange that phenoxyethanol is a part of not only cosmetics, but also some antibacterial vaccines. Acetaldehyde is suspected human carcinogen. Inhalation of this substance irritates the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

Use in cosmetics

In most countries the permissible concentration in cosmetics phenoxyethanol 1%. It may seem that it is a little, but it is possible to present the same data a different way: 200 ml of shampoo with a concentration phenoxyethanol contains a teaspoon of this substance.

Phenoxyethanol is often part of the cosmetics that are advertised as natural and "green." For the production of such cosmetics used phenoxyethanol derived from grapefruit and other natural sources, but it is not more or less secure than synthetic phenoxyethanol.

Since phenoxyethanol danger to humans has not yet been proven, it should not be a strong concern.

However, if you really want to use natural cosmetics Natural Cosmetics: created by nature Very carefully study its composition. Otherwise, there is always risk to be a guinea pig, left to the mercy of the cosmetic industry.