Phenoxyethanol is used as a perfume fixative; an insect repellent; an antiseptic;[7] a solvent for cellulose acetate, dyes, inks, and resins; a preservative for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and lubricants;[8] an anesthetic in fish aquaculture;[9][10] and in organic synthesis.

[12] Phenoxyethanol was first prepared by W. H. Perkin Jr. and his graduate student Edward Haworth in 1896.

[14] Starting from the 1920s, it has been commercially available as a cellulose acetate solvent under the trademark of "Phenyl cellosolve".

[1] Phenoxyethanol is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and the yeast Candida albicans.

[16] Phenoxyethanol is a vaccine preservative and potential allergen, which may result in a nodular reaction at the site of injection.