murphyo-Cymen-5-ol
AKA: 4-Isopropyl-3-methylphenol, 3228-02-2, 3-Methyl-4-isopropylphenol, 3-methyl-4-propan-2-ylphenol, 3-Methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)phenol
Synthetic
Preservative
Clean
OriginDerived from p-cymene, a monoterpene found in essential oils like cumin and thyme, through synthetic chemical modification. Produced by hydroxylation of p-cymene using catalytic oxidation methods to introduce the hydroxyl group.
The CIR Expert panel concludes Sodium p-Chloro-m-Cresol, p-Chloro-m-Cresol, Chlorothymol, m-Cresol, o-Cresol, Isopropyl Cresols, Thymol, o-Cymen-5-ol, Cavacrol are safe at concentrations up to 0.5% in cosmetics; however, the available data are insufficient to support the safety of p-Cresol and Mixed Cresols for use in cosmetic products.
Formula
C10H14O
Mol. Weight
150.22
CAS #
3228-02-2, 39660-61-2
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Deodorant
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Fights Bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Animal test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 277)
Eye Irritant in Testing
1 study / 1 irritating / reactions slight (CIR 277)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
5 studies / 2 irritating / 3 not irritating (CIR 207)
Mixed Sensitization Results
5 studies / 3 sensitizing / 2 not sensitizing / reactions minimal (CIR 207 and 277)
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.1%
EU regulatory limit: 0.1%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 38.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR