Phenonip : paraben esters in phenoxyethanol

Physical-chemical Properties

Appearance       - colourless liquid

Odour               - slight

Specific gravity  - 1.124

Solubility in water - approximately 0.5%

Solubility in organic solvents:

               Ethanol - miscible

               ethanol/water (50/50) - >95.0%

               isopropanol - miscible

               acetone - miscible

               propylene glycol - miscible

               isopropyl myristate - miscible

               peanut oil - 25.0%

               liquid paraffin - <0.1%

               glycerol - 10.0%

               triethanolamine - miscible

               polysorbate 80 - miscible

               triethanolamine lauryl sulphate (40%) - 35.0%

for more specific infomation see PDF downloads below  ""product info Phenonip""

The Paraben issue

The general media and the internet has been extensively used to self promote many products and we are sure you may be aware of the so called ""negatives"" of parabens.  We amongst a number of other technically minded formulators think it's important that you have some more of the facts before deciding whether parabens are ""good"" or ""bad"" for your products.

 Why are preservatives used ? Preservatives are used in home care and cosmetics to protect them against microbial growth (from gram positive and gram negative bacteria yeasts and moulds) both to protect the users and to maintain product integrity.

Interesting medical articles  : overview of parabens and contact dermatitis

 as well as  The Health Controversies of Parabens

Are there health risks associated with the use of parabens in cosmetics?

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) reviewed the safety of methylparaben propylparaben and butylparaben in 1984 and concluded they were safe for use in cosmetic products at levels up to 25%. Note that typically parabens are used at levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.3%.

On November 14 2003 the CIR began the process to reopen the safety assessments of methylparaben ethylparaben propylparaben and butylparaben in order to offer interested parties an opportunity to submit new data for consideration. In September 2005 the CIR decided to re-open the safety assessment for parabens to request exposure estimates and a risk assessment for cosmetic uses. In December 2005 after considering the margins of safety for exposure to women and infants the Panel determined that there was no need to change its original conclusion that parabens are safe as used in cosmetics. Parabens are an effective antimicrobial against yeast and mould & the FDA has stated that at the present time there is no reason for consumers to be concerned about the use of parabens in products. Parabens have been safely used in cosmetics since the 1920's & historical data indicates that parabens are safe.

WASHINGTON March 7 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) an independent panel of scientific and medical experts reaffirmed this week at their public meeting that parabens a family of preservatives used in cosmetics and personal care products are safe. 

""The cosmetic industry formally requested that CIR re-examine the safety of parabens as they are used in cosmetics and we are gratified that the panel has done so and confirmed the safety of these ingredients said Halyna Breslawec chief scientist for the Personal Care Products Council (the Council).  ""The Council also appreciates that the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supported the CIR decision she said.

In December 2011 the Council requested that CIR reexamine its review of parabens in light of two recent opinions by the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).  SCCS concluded among other things that some parabens are safe at current use levels but recommended that levels of others used be reduced. 

At its March 5-6 2012 meeting CIR carefully reviewed the SCCS opinions and concluded that there were little additional new data concerning parabens.  The panel voted to reaffirm its earlier conclusions that parabens are safe for use as cosmetic ingredients.  CIR initially reviewed the safety of parabens in 1984 and since then has continually examined newly available data related to the safety of these ingredients. Its last comprehensive report was published in 2008.

A summary of the CIR Expert Panel findings for the March 5-6 meeting will be posted on the CIR Web site (http://www.cir-safety.org) within a few weeks.

Extracted information from <http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cosmetic-ingredient-review-cir-expert-panel-reaffirms-the-safety-of-parabens-used-in-cosmetics-and-personal-care-products-141750543.html>

SDS & TDS

Here you will find Product Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Technical Data Sheets. The files are in PDF format. To access a file click on the relevant button or the file name. For your convenience it will open up in a new browser window.

Please note: You must have Acrobat Reader to view the files listed here. If necessary the Acrobat Reader link will directed you to a page where it can be downloaded.

Safety Data Sheet

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Technical Data Sheet

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product info Phenonip

Certificate of analysis/conformance

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