IGS Position Statement on Phenoxyethanol in Animal Grooming Products

Public Summary

The International Grooming Society classifies Phenoxyethanol as:

Category D — Not DAATA-Compatible

High Concern for routine professional grooming use

Phenoxyethanol is a widely used preservative in cosmetic, hygiene and grooming products. In human cosmetics, it is legally authorised in the European Union up to 1%. However, the IGS Ingredient Classification Framework does not evaluate ingredients only according to their legal status in human cosmetics.

IGS evaluates ingredients according to their real use in professional animal grooming. This includes repeated occupational exposure for groomers, use on dogs and cats, leave-on products, sprays, wipes, sensitive areas, compromised skin, licking behaviour and possible cumulative exposure from multiple products.

Why IGS classifies Phenoxyethanol as Category D

IGS considers Phenoxyethanol unsuitable for routine DAATA-compatible grooming use because of the following concerns:

• systemic absorption through the skin;

• metabolism into phenoxyacetic acid;

• ingestion relevance through licking;

• serious eye hazard concern;

• possible respiratory exposure in sprays and mists;

• documented permeation through animal skin in vitro;

• repeated occupational exposure for groomers;

• higher concern in leave-on products, wipes and sprays;

• additional uncertainty for cats, puppies, kittens, senior animals and animals with compromised skin.

The ANSM precautionary signal

In 2012, the French health authority ANSM recommended that Phenoxyethanol should not be used in cosmetic products intended for the nappy area of children under three years old, and that its concentration should be reduced in other cosmetic products intended for this age group.

Although this position was later challenged within the European regulatory framework, IGS considers the original ANSM warning scientifically relevant as a precautionary toxicological signal.

This is particularly important because the baby nappy-area scenario shares several exposure features with animal grooming: repeated use, leave-on exposure, sensitive skin, semi-occluded areas, wipes, vulnerable individuals and cumulative exposure.

IGS does not claim that babies and animals are the same. However, this warning highlights a type of exposure that is highly relevant when evaluating grooming products for dogs, cats and professional users.

IGS position

Phenoxyethanol should not be treated as a neutral preservative in animal grooming products.

IGS recommends avoiding Phenoxyethanol in:

• leave-on products;

• sprays and mists;

• wipes;

• feline grooming products;

• facial products;

• paw products;

• products used around eyes or mucous membranes;

• products intended for compromised, irritated or inflamed skin;

• products intended for puppies, kittens, senior animals or medically fragile animals.

Important clarification

IGS does not state that every finished product containing Phenoxyethanol will automatically cause harm.

The IGS position is that Phenoxyethanol is not an appropriate routine preservative choice for welfare-centred, DAATA-compatible professional grooming products, especially when safer formulation strategies may be available.

For groomers

Groomers are encouraged to check ingredient lists, avoid repeated exposure when possible, use gloves when handling products containing Phenoxyethanol, avoid leave-on use, avoid use on cats and avoid application to sensitive or compromised skin.

For brands

Brands are encouraged to reformulate away from Phenoxyethanol in leave-on products, sprays, wipes, feline products and sensitive-skin products, while maintaining strong microbiological safety through responsible preservation systems and appropriate testing.

Full report

This public position statement is a summary of the IGS position.

The full comprehensive report on Phenoxyethanol, including detailed scientific analysis, grooming-specific exposure interpretation, classification rationale and complete source review, is available exclusively to IGS members.

Join the International Grooming Society to access the full report and all Ingredient Classification Framework resources.

Already a member ? Use this link to read the full report. https://www.internationalgroomingsociety.org/post/comprehensive-report-on-phenoxyethanol-in-animal-grooming-products