Phenoxy ethanol is an organic compound commonly used in skin care products, which can be made of ethylene glycol and phenyl alcohol, and is common in skin creams and sunscreen. Benzene-oxygen ethanol is a colorless oily liquid, antimicrobial effects (commonly used with quaternary ammonium salts) are often used in biological buffer solutions as substitutes for highly toxic sodium azide, since 2-phenoxy ethanol is less toxic and chemically less active in copper and lead. The use of preservatives in cosmetics, vaccines and pharmaceuticals is often used.