Phenonip XB
1/23/25: The manufacturer has discontinued production of Phenonip® and replaced it with Phenonip®XB. Phenonip®XB drops problematic butylparaben and isobutylparaben from the preservative mix and is approved for use in USA and EU.
CAS#: Mixture
Broad spectrum, liquid preservative system ideal for use in a wide variety of personal care applications. Effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and molds and retains activity in the presence of most cosmetic ingredients. Phenonip®XB is oil soluble. It can be used in emulsions and anhydrous formulations.
• Non-volatile - there is no loss of preservative due to volatility even on prolonged storage.
• Highly stable - aqueous solutions of Phenonip®XB can withstand autoclave sterilisation with no loss of activity.
• Phenonip®XB has an excellent toxicological profile and is non-irritant to skin, eye and mucous membranes at normal use concentrations.
• The components of Phenonip® are biodegradable at the low concentrations found in effluent.
INCI: Phenoxyethanol (and) Methylparaben (and) Ethylparaben (and) Propylparaben
California Prop 65 Statement: This product may contain trace impurities of 1,4-Dioxane (<1.5ppm), Ethylene Oxide (<0.75ppm), Ethylene Glycol (<15ppm), and Methanol (<550ppm), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
SDS & Tech Data
Phenonip®XB Specification Sheet
Formulation Guide
Experience has shown that Phenonip® XB will preserve cosmetics and toiletries when incorporated at concentrations from 0.25 % to 1 %. The higher concentrations are generally required only for formulations which, by nature, are particularly difficult to preserve.
Shampoos and foam baths may be preserved with Phenonip® XB at concentrations between 0.25 % to 0.65 %. Products with high protein content may require levels from 0.5 % - 1 %. Other surfactant- based products, for example liquid dishwashing detergents, are generally preserved with Phenonip® XB over the range 0.2 %- 0.6 %. Emulsified systems, both O/W and W/O types, may be effectively preserved by the addition of Phenonip® XB at 0.6 %- 0.8 %. Phenonip® XB can also be used to preserve emulsions based on nonionic surfactants, but slightly increased concentrations may be required, e.g. 0.8 -1 %.
Phenonip® XB can be added to the aqueous phase readily up to its limit of solubility. The relatively low aqueous solubility of Phenonip® XB means that if the water content of the formulation is low, it may not be convenient to add the preservative directly to water during manufacture. Heating the water to 60 – 70°C prior to Phenonip® XB addition will, in most instances, allow the appropriate quantity to be dissolved. For aqueous systems which cannot be heated, Phenonip® XB can be incorporated by preparing a concentrate in a suitable solvent, e.g. Propylene Glycol, and stirring this concentrate into the water to give a final Phenonip® XB concentration below its maximum water solubility.
In emulsified systems, Phenonip® XB is readily dissolved in the lipid phase prior to emulsification although it is often good practice to divide the Phenonip® XB content between the aqueous and the lipid phases during their preparation. To add Phenonip® XB into the final emulsion during the cooling stage is also possible for a lot of emulsions.
In surfactant and detergent based products Phenonip® XB can be dissolved in the surfactant prior to the addition of water and other ingredients.
• Retains activity over the range pH 3.0 - 8.0.
Please see the Phenonip®XB Fact Sheet for more formulating tips and MIC data.
Recommended use levels: 0.5%-1.0%
Appearance: Clear liquid
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