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Common Name(s): 3-nitro-4-aminophenoxyethanol

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds in cosmetic formulations, protecting product safety and extending shelf life.

Why It's Used: Preservatives protect consumers from microbial contamination that can cause skin infections; they are a non-negotiable safety requirement for water-containing products.

How It Works: The preservative molecule penetrates microbial cell walls or membranes, disrupting metabolic enzyme function, inhibiting cell division, or causing membrane lysis depending on the specific preservative class.

Typically Found In: All water-containing cosmetic products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Preservatives

Secondary Functions: Antimicrobial

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.01โ€“1%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetic preservative; no animal components.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1

Comedogenicity Rating: 0

Sensitivity Concerns: Sensitization possible in susceptible individuals; always perform challenge testing; label if required by local regulations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Conditional

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Permitted in cosmetics within regulatory concentration limits. challenge testing (iso 11930) required. generally non-irritating at permitted concentrations.

Works Well With: Other preservatives in challenge-tested systems; edta (chelating agent)

Avoid Combining With: Formulations above maximum permitted concentration limits

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Preservative efficacy is governed by the antimicrobial challenge test (iso 11930). effective systems maintain log reduction โ‰ฅ3 against bacteria (e. coli, s. aureus, p. aeruginosa) and โ‰ฅ2 against fungi (c. albicans, a. brasiliensis) at specified time points. minimum inhibitory concentration (mic) values, ph-activity relationships, and formulation interactions determine the effective concentration window.

Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; eu cosmetics regulation annex v; sccs preservative safety opinions

Primary Sources: 2025-01-15