Phenoxyethanol?

rachelolivia2010 · 07-30-2010, 08:05 AM

This is in the Kinky Curly Knot Today. I'm a little confused on what it does and if it's safe or not. I've done some research, and I still don't understand. It says that it can cause central nervous system depression and vomiting, but I don't know if that goes for small concentrations or large concentrations of it. I don't mean to scare anyone from this product, but I just need a little clarification.

Can someone tell me what it does, and is it safe to use?

Thank You.

hippychic · 07-30-2010, 09:22 AM

it's a preservative.

MSDS sheets will list all dangers, precautions if ingested or inhaled etc in high amounts. if you go to certain sites, they will scare the **** out of you on just about anything.

rachelolivia2010 · 07-30-2010, 09:48 AM

Okay, so I don't have anything to really worry about? Cuz I was really excited to try the Knot Today.

MixedUpCurlyChick · 07-30-2010, 04:26 PM

I avoid it. But you might find this interesting: http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/?p=169

FYI, its very hard to avoid this, if you're also avoiding parabens. But I can let you know about stylers and conditioners that DON'T have it, if you're interested.

rachelolivia2010 · 07-30-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MixedUpCurlyChick

I avoid it. But you might find this interesting: http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/?p=169

FYI, its very hard to avoid this, if you're also avoiding parabens. But I can let you know about stylers and conditioners that DON'T have it, if you're interested.

Thank you for the link! And that would be great if you can.

MixedUpCurlyChick · 07-31-2010, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachelolivia2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MixedUpCurlyChick

I avoid it. But you might find this interesting: http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/?p=169

FYI, its very hard to avoid this, if you're also avoiding parabens. But I can let you know about stylers and conditioners that DON'T have it, if you're interested.

Thank you for the link! And that would be great if you can.

NP!

here are some conditioners:

Darcy's Botanicals Curl Detangling Milk
Nature's Baby Organics
Donna Marie MiraCurl Detangler & Conditioner
Afro Detangler
Aubrey Organics White Camelia
Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose
(I think all of AOs condish are phenoxy free but those are the only I've used)
*the first three I've mentioned are btter for leave ins. I feel AD is too, but many ppl use it as regular condish. The last two are heavier. Also, I think all DBs are phenoxy free, but that's the only one I've tried.

gels:

Donna Marie Miracurls
Kinky Curly
Kiss My Face Upper Management
John Master's Organics (I think all of his gels are fine)
Aubrey Organics Mandarain Magic (this is a light gel at best, but I thought I'd throw it in)

I RARELY use shamppo (cleanse with Almond soap)
but the only shampoo I know of and own that doesn't have it, is Golden Wheat by Giovanni. I stopped using Giovanni condish b/c of the phenoxy, but they may very well have re-formulated them by now. HTH!

MsCurl83 · 08-01-2010, 01:24 AM

Yea I seen this one around and been wondering, I did a search and saw all the scary info on it too, but I've got this lady who owns an organic boutique researching about it. I hope my QB OHHB, AOHC and BRBC aren't making me depressed, lol.

MixedUpCurlyChick · 08-01-2010, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortncurly

Yea I seen this one around and been wondering, I did a search and saw all the scary info on it too, but I've got this lady who owns an organic boutique researching about it. I hope my QB OHHB, AOHC and BRBC aren't making me depressed, lol.

You'd have to almost drink it for it to effect you by way of your hair products. However, its in a lot of things (cleaners, shampoos, lotions etc) so if its true that we absorb a good amount of what we apply topically, it could have an effect after years of doing this. Don't take my word for it though. Just my 2 cents based on what I've read. Always do your own research!

rachelolivia2010 · 08-01-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MixedUpCurlyChick

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachelolivia2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MixedUpCurlyChick

I avoid it. But you might find this interesting: http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/?p=169

FYI, its very hard to avoid this, if you're also avoiding parabens. But I can let you know about stylers and conditioners that DON'T have it, if you're interested.

Thank you for the link! And that would be great if you can.

NP!

here are some conditioners:

Darcy's Botanicals Curl Detangling Milk
Nature's Baby Organics
Donna Marie MiraCurl Detangler & Conditioner
Afro Detangler
Aubrey Organics White Camelia
Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose
(I think all of AOs condish are phenoxy free but those are the only I've used)
*the first three I've mentioned are btter for leave ins. I feel AD is too, but many ppl use it as regular condish. The last two are heavier. Also, I think all DBs are phenoxy free, but that's the only one I've tried.

gels:

Donna Marie Miracurls
Kinky Curly
Kiss My Face Upper Management
John Master's Organics (I think all of his gels are fine)
Aubrey Organics Mandarain Magic (this is a light gel at best, but I thought I'd throw it in)

I RARELY use shamppo (cleanse with Almond soap)
but the only shampoo I know of and own that doesn't have it, is Golden Wheat by Giovanni. I stopped using Giovanni condish b/c of the phenoxy, but they may very well have re-formulated them by now. HTH!

Thank you so much MixedUpCurlyChick!

I thought about using the Giovanni Direct, but idk if it's thick enough for my hair. :P

coilynapp · 08-01-2010, 10:48 PM

Ok. Chipping in here. IA with hippychic. There are a lot of websites that are good at scaring people. Phenoxy is a preserative, only used at 0.5-1% of your product. The warnings are if it is ingested in large amounts. A lot of things are safe in small amounts but harmful in large amounts.

Use this website that has great information about FDA and CIR approvals of ingredients for cosmetics and whether they are GRAS (generally regarded as safe) or not. You will see on a lot of websites that post "this ingredient is bad, don't use it" don't even post where they get their info to back their claims up

QB, DB, AV, OYIN all use phenoxyethanol as a preservative. If you see "optiphen" it is Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol. DB doesn't state on her website the specific preservatie save to say "paraben-free" and I think (I don't quite remember and I'm away from home to check my products) but I think it is optiphen she uses. Optiphen is GRAS.

ETA: Think about this: 0.5-1% of an 8 ounce product and your are putting about 2 quarter size amounts which will have a minute amount of 1%...even if you are using the whole container of product, you are only using 1%

article from here (published in 1990, not sure what else is out there more recently re phenoxy)

Abstract
Phenoxyethanol is an aromatic ether which is used in cosmetics as a preservative at concentrations below 1% and as a fixative for perfumes.

According to the classification scheme of Hodge and Sterner,(1) Phenoxyethanol is practically nontoxic when administered orally or dermally to rats.

In a subchronic oral toxicity study in rats of Phenoxyethanol, signs of toxicity included reduced body weights and an impaired ability to utilize feed. Increased liver, kidney, and thyroid weights were noted at necropsy in surviving rats.

Undiluted Phenoxyethanol was a strong eye irritant, but was nonirritating when tested at 2.2%. Phenoxyethanol at 2.0% was a slight irritant to rabbit skin, but was neither an irritant nor sensitizer to guinea pig skin.

In dermal treatment studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither teratogenic, embryotoxic, or fetotoxic at doses which were maternally toxic. Phenoxyethanol was nonmutagenic in the Ames test, with and without metabolic activition, and in the mouse micronucleus test.

In clinical studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither a primary irritant nor sensitizer. Phenoxyethanol was not phototoxic in clinical studies.

It is concluded that Phenoxyethanol is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration.

hippychic · 08-02-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coilynapp

Ok. Chipping in here. IA with hippychic. There are a lot of websites that are good at scaring people. Phenoxy is a preserative, only used at 0.5-1% of your product. The warnings are if it is ingested in large amounts. A lot of things are safe in small amounts but harmful in large amounts.

Use this website that has great information about FDA and CIR approvals of ingredients for cosmetics and whether they are GRAS (generally regarded as safe) or not. You will see on a lot of websites that post "this ingredient is bad, don't use it" don't even post where they get their info to back their claims up

QB, DB, AV, OYIN all use phenoxyethanol as a preservative. If you see "optiphen" it is Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol. DB doesn't state on her website the specific preservatie save to say "paraben-free" and I think (I don't quite remember and I'm away from home to check my products) but I think it is optiphen she uses. Optiphen is GRAS.

ETA: Think about this: 0.5-1% of an 8 ounce product and your are putting about 2 quarter size amounts which will have a minute amount of 1%...even if you are using the whole container of product, you are only using 1%

article from here (published in 1990, not sure what else is out there more recently re phenoxy)

Abstract
Phenoxyethanol is an aromatic ether which is used in cosmetics as a preservative at concentrations below 1% and as a fixative for perfumes.

According to the classification scheme of Hodge and Sterner,(1) Phenoxyethanol is practically nontoxic when administered orally or dermally to rats.

In a subchronic oral toxicity study in rats of Phenoxyethanol, signs of toxicity included reduced body weights and an impaired ability to utilize feed. Increased liver, kidney, and thyroid weights were noted at necropsy in surviving rats.

Undiluted Phenoxyethanol was a strong eye irritant, but was nonirritating when tested at 2.2%. Phenoxyethanol at 2.0% was a slight irritant to rabbit skin, but was neither an irritant nor sensitizer to guinea pig skin.

In dermal treatment studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither teratogenic, embryotoxic, or fetotoxic at doses which were maternally toxic. Phenoxyethanol was nonmutagenic in the Ames test, with and without metabolic activition, and in the mouse micronucleus test.

In clinical studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither a primary irritant nor sensitizer. Phenoxyethanol was not phototoxic in clinical studies.

It is concluded that Phenoxyethanol is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration.

thank you coilynapp! i get so sick of the scare tactics and fear mongering.

Nappy_curly_crown · 08-02-2010, 09:57 AM

I really wish these websites that posted MSDS sheets actually knew how to READ them and understood how the information is presented. Fear mongering at it's best.

MSDS sheets usually give information for chemicals in a 100% PURE UNDILUTED state. Just about everthing is toxic at that level...even oxygen!

hippychic · 08-02-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nappy_curly_crown

I really wish these websites that posted MSDS sheets actually knew how to READ them and understood how the information is presented. Fear mongering at it's best.

MSDS sheets usually give information for chemicals in a 100% PURE UNDILUTED state. Just about everthing is toxic at that level...even oxygen!

yup!

rachelolivia2010 · 08-02-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coilynapp

Ok. Chipping in here. IA with hippychic. There are a lot of websites that are good at scaring people. Phenoxy is a preserative, only used at 0.5-1% of your product. The warnings are if it is ingested in large amounts. A lot of things are safe in small amounts but harmful in large amounts.

Use this website that has great information about FDA and CIR approvals of ingredients for cosmetics and whether they are GRAS (generally regarded as safe) or not. You will see on a lot of websites that post "this ingredient is bad, don't use it" don't even post where they get their info to back their claims up

QB, DB, AV, OYIN all use phenoxyethanol as a preservative. If you see "optiphen" it is Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol. DB doesn't state on her website the specific preservatie save to say "paraben-free" and I think (I don't quite remember and I'm away from home to check my products) but I think it is optiphen she uses. Optiphen is GRAS.

ETA: Think about this: 0.5-1% of an 8 ounce product and your are putting about 2 quarter size amounts which will have a minute amount of 1%...even if you are using the whole container of product, you are only using 1%

article from here (published in 1990, not sure what else is out there more recently re phenoxy)

Abstract
Phenoxyethanol is an aromatic ether which is used in cosmetics as a preservative at concentrations below 1% and as a fixative for perfumes.

According to the classification scheme of Hodge and Sterner,(1) Phenoxyethanol is practically nontoxic when administered orally or dermally to rats.

In a subchronic oral toxicity study in rats of Phenoxyethanol, signs of toxicity included reduced body weights and an impaired ability to utilize feed. Increased liver, kidney, and thyroid weights were noted at necropsy in surviving rats.

Undiluted Phenoxyethanol was a strong eye irritant, but was nonirritating when tested at 2.2%. Phenoxyethanol at 2.0% was a slight irritant to rabbit skin, but was neither an irritant nor sensitizer to guinea pig skin.

In dermal treatment studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither teratogenic, embryotoxic, or fetotoxic at doses which were maternally toxic. Phenoxyethanol was nonmutagenic in the Ames test, with and without metabolic activition, and in the mouse micronucleus test.

In clinical studies, Phenoxyethanol was neither a primary irritant nor sensitizer. Phenoxyethanol was not phototoxic in clinical studies.

It is concluded that Phenoxyethanol is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration.

Thank You for this information!

coilynapp · 08-02-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nappy_curly_crown

I really wish these websites that posted MSDS sheets actually knew how to READ them and understood how the information is presented. Fear mongering at it's best.

MSDS sheets usually give information for chemicals in a 100% PURE UNDILUTED state. Just about everthing is toxic at that level...even oxygen!

exactament!!! ITA!!!! Thank you ncc.

oh and after checking, DB does use optiphen to preserve her products