Euxyl PE 9010, Preservative 10 ml

Euxyl PE 9010 is a liquid preservative based on phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin that protects creams, gels, shampoos and tonics against bacteria, yeasts and moulds. It works at a dose of 0.5 – 1.0 %, is effective across the full standard pH range and tolerates heating. Suitable for emulsions, surfactant-based preparations and clear gels that it must not cloud or discolour.

Ethylhexylglycerin in the blend alters the surface tension on the cell membrane of microorganisms, thereby enhancing the effect of phenoxyethanol. In the manufacturer's minimum inhibitory concentration tests, half the concentration of the blend compared to pure phenoxyethanol was sufficient to stop the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. According to the manufacturer, the spectrum of activity is well-balanced, with no weak point against moulds.

Key properties

• Broad spectrum of activity – according to manufacturer data, it is equally effective against bacteria, yeasts and moulds, so a standard formula does not require an additional anti-mould preservative.
• pH independence – works in acidic, neutral and alkaline environments up to pH 12. The formula does not need to be acidified because of it.
• Manufacturing stability – resistant to hydrolysis and heat; added during cooling below 80 °C.
• Clear gels without cloudiness – a colourless liquid that does not change the appearance or colour of a clear gel, tonic or micellar water.
• For rinse-off and leave-on products – the same dose protects both a shampoo and a cream that remains on the skin.
• Paraben-free, vegan, halal – suitable for formulas where customers reject parabens.

Use in formulation

The recommended dosage is 0.5 – 1.0 % of the total formula weight. At the upper limit, the phenoxyethanol content in the finished product remains below 1 %, which is the maximum permitted concentration of this substance in EU cosmetics. In the manufacturer's repeated challenge test, 0.6 % was sufficient to protect a carbomer gel, but 0.5 % was not enough for a moisturising balm. The actual concentration required can only be determined by a challenge test of the finished product.

The blend dissolves poorly in water. In an emulsion it is therefore added to the cooling phase below 80 °C with continuous stirring, while the mass is still sufficiently fluid. For water-based gels and tonics the safest approach is to pre-mix it with a glycol (propylene glycol, pentylene glycol, glycerin) or with alcohol, and then blend this solution into the base. In shampoos and shower gels it usually dissolves directly in the surfactant base; if cloudiness occurs, the same pre-mixing with glycol will help. It can also be incorporated afterwards into a finished base, but always with thorough mixing.

The blend is also used in deodorants and antiperspirants with an aqueous phase and in intimate hygiene products.

Suitable for products such as

• Facial creams and body lotions of the O/W type, where protection of the aqueous phase is required for leave-on use.
• Clear moisturising serums, tonics and gel masks that must not change in appearance.
• Shampoos, shower gels and liquid soaps on a surfactant base.
• Intimate hygiene products and deodorants with an aqueous phase.
• Liquid colour cosmetics on a water base, such as foundation creams.

Anhydrous products (balms, oils, butters) do not normally need a preservative. It is relevant where water enters the product during use, for example in pots kept in the bathroom that are reached for with wet fingers.

Good to know

The preservative protects the product from contamination during use; it is not a disinfectant for an already spoiled product. The manufacturer states that contact of at least 48 hours is needed to destroy microorganisms in a contaminated product, and also emphasises manufacturing hygiene and clean raw materials as prerequisites for effective preservation. Sanitised containers, boiled or distilled water and clean utensils remain the foundation.

The manufacturer evaluates preservation using a repeated challenge test, in which a sample is repeatedly inoculated with microorganisms. According to their experience, a well-preserved product should withstand six inoculation cycles without growth.

The manufacturer describes the blend as gentle to the skin microbiome, based on its own tests. This is a manufacturer's claim that cannot be taken as a guarantee in any specific formula. Both ingredients are of synthetic origin, so a product containing this preservative cannot be labelled as natural.

Frequently asked questions