The ingredient, explained

Phenethyl Alcohol

A published safety assessment explicitly covers PHENETHYL ALCOHOL.

Masking

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

2-Phenylethanol

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Masking: Reduces or conceals the formula's underlying odour or taste.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Safety assessment

A dedicated fragrance safety assessment evaluates toxicological and risk endpoints for phenethyl alcohol.

What this does not tell us

Published safety assessment, not an efficacy trial. Its conclusion is limited to the reported cosmetic uses and concentrations, and relies partly on group read-across where individual data are missing. It does not establish current regulatory status or guarantee tolerance for every formulation. Indexed record has no outcome abstract; the overall conclusion and exact exposure bounds are not verified here. No blanket safety conclusion is presented.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 38908814 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Read exact local candidate abstracts first; select identity-relevant papers; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.

Read the 1 selected study

Safety assessment
RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, phenethyl alcohol, CAS Registry Number 60-12-8. ↗
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association · 2024

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