Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, commonly known as phenoxyethanol, is a versatile specialty chemical used primarily as an antimicrobial preservative in cosmetics, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals at concentrations up to 1%. It functions as a solvent in coatings, inks, resins, and cleaning formulations, enhancing flow, leveling, and solvency for resins and polymers. Commonly incorporated into paint thinners, industrial degreasers, wood stains, and varnishes. It also serves as a coupling agent in emulsions, stabilizes agricultural chemical formulations, and improves penetration of active ingredients in disinfectants and surface care products. Occasionally used in specialty detergents for industrial cleaning.