Tel: +86 13962653966 | Email： sales@szeasychem.com
Tel: +86 13962653966 | Email： sales@szeasychem.com
Water-based products and microbes naturally go together. The moment a formula contains water, nutrients, and air exposure, bacteria, yeast, and mold begin to grow. Without an effective cosmetic preservative, products may spoil within days, causing odor, discoloration, instability, and even safety risks.
That’s why many formulators choose PE91 preservative, a broad-spectrum preservative blend widely used in cosmetics, personal care, wet wipes, and home care products.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
What is PE91 preservative
How phenoxyethanol ethylhexylglycerin preservative systems work
What PE91 is used for
Recommended dosage
Benefits and limitations
Formulation tips
FAQ + safety answers
If you’re looking for a paraben-free, formaldehyde-free, mild liquid preservative for skincare, PE91 is often one of the best starting points.
PE91 preservative is a liquid blend composed of:
Phenoxyethanol (≈ 90–91%)
Ethylhexylglycerin (≈ 9–10%)
This combination forms a phenoxyethanol ethylhexylglycerin preservative system designed to provide reliable broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection.
Instead of relying on one strong chemical, PE91 uses synergy:
Phenoxyethanol → strong antibacterial activity
Ethylhexylglycerin → preservative booster + skin conditioning
Together, they achieve better performance at lower concentrations.
PE91 works through two complementary steps:
Phenoxyethanol penetrates microbial cell membranes and disrupts cellular metabolism, effectively stopping bacterial growth.
Ethylhexylglycerin:
weakens cell membranes
enhances phenoxyethanol penetration
improves overall antimicrobial spectrum
adds mild humectant properties
This synergistic preservative system allows formulators to use lower dosage while maintaining strong protection, reducing irritation risks and cost.
PE91 is one of the most widely used preservatives for personal care products.
Lotions & creams
Serums
Shampoos & conditioners
Facial cleansers
Sunscreens
Hand soaps
Baby care products
Because it’s gentle and stable, it’s ideal for both leave-on and rinse-off formulations.
If you need a liquid preservative for skincare, PE91 is often the first recommendation.
Wet wipes are highly vulnerable to contamination because they contain:
High water content
Repeated air exposure
Warm storage
PE91 is commonly used as a preservative for wet wipes formulation, including:
Baby wipes
Makeup remover wipes
Antibacterial wipes
Household cleaning wipes
Its mildness + effectiveness makes it safer for skin-contact products.
PE91 is also popular as a home care preservative.
Liquid detergents
Dishwashing liquids
Fabric softeners
Surface cleaners
Floor cleaners
It performs well with surfactants and remains stable in high-water systems.
learn more ,please visit Preservative for Detergent & Biocides for Cleaning Product Manufacturer | Complete Buyer Guide
For light-to-medium preservation needs, PE91 can be applied in:
Water-based coatings
Adhesives
Textile chemicals
Polishes
While not a heavy-duty biocide, it provides reliable everyday protection.
| Application | Recommended Level |
|---|---|
| Leave-on cosmetics | 0.6–1.0% |
| Rinse-off products | 0.5–1.0% |
| Wet wipes | 0.8–1.2% |
| Home care | 0.5–1.0% |
Always confirm with Preservative Efficacy Testing (PET / Challenge Test).
Factors affecting dosage:
pH
water activity
packaging
raw materials
contamination risk
Mild preservative for sensitive skin products
Broad compatibility
Easy formulation
Cost-effective
Globally accepted
Not ideal for extremely high contamination risk
Less effective at very high pH (>10)
May require booster in heavy mold environments
In complex systems, formulators sometimes combine PE91 with organic acids or multifunctional boosters.
To maximize performance:
Add during cool-down phase (< 50°C)
Ensure uniform mixing
Avoid fragrance incompatibility
Conduct stability testing
Always perform challenge testing
Small adjustments can significantly improve preservation.
To learn more, you may also explore:
PE91 product page
Phenoxyethanol preservative solutions
Ethylhexylglycerin booster ingredient
Preservatives for cosmetics & home care category
(These internal links help improve SEO and user navigation.)
Yes, when used within recommended limits.
Phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin are widely evaluated and accepted for cosmetic use globally. At typical concentrations (≤1%), PE91 is considered safe, effective, and skin-friendly.
This balance of efficacy + mildness explains why it has become one of the most trusted preservative systems worldwide.
If you need a reliable, paraben-free, broad-spectrum preservative for water-based cosmetics or home care products, PE91 delivers:
Simple formulation
Consistent protection
Global compliance
Excellent skin tolerance
For many formulators, it’s the most practical “all-around” preservative available.
Looking for a reliable PE91 preservative supplier or manufacturer?
We provide:
Bulk wholesale supply
Samples for testing
TDS & MSDS
Formulation support
Global shipping
👉 Contact us today for pricing or technical assistance.
PE91 is a blend of phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin designed to provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection.
It is widely used in cosmetics, skincare, wet wipes, shampoos, lotions, and household cleaning products.
Most formulations use between 0.5–1.0%, depending on product type and challenge testing.
Yes. It is considered a mild preservative system suitable for leave-on products when used correctly.
Yes. PE91 is commonly used as a modern paraben-free preservative alternative.
Suzhou easy chemical co. ltd
388, Dengyun Road,Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
Email: sales@szeasychem.com
Contact： Joyce Yu
MB: +86 13962653966
Whatsapp&Wechat: +86 13962653966
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About Us
Easychem – a manufacturer of Suzhou Easy Chemical is a professional preservative manufacturer and chemical ingredients supplier, offering for wide range of industries to global market.
Strategic partner:
Defoamer manufacturer-Invelychem
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Suzhou Easy Chemical Co. Ltd
Contact: Joyce Yu
Email: sales@szeasychem.com
Tel: +86 13962653966
WhatsApp: +86 13962653966
WeChat: +86 13962653966
We will contact you within 2 hours, please pay attention to the email with the suffix “joyceyu@szeasychem.com”.