Phenoxyethanol is generally recognized as a safe, well-tolerated preservative. An expert panel from The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) first reviewed all available data on this chemical in 1990. They deemed it safe when applied topically in concentrations of 1 percent or lower. For more info visit: <a href="http://www.tristarintermediates.org/phenoxyethanol.html">phenoxyethanol preservative</a>