BENZYL ALCOHOL

BENZYL ALCOHOL

CAS 100-51-6 · preservative · EC 202-859-9 · KR 벤질알코올

Caution5 citationsEU-listed allergen

Benzyl alcohol

BENZYL ALCOHOL is a preservative ingredient used in skincare formulations.

preservativesolventfragrance ingredient

⚠️ Data is provided for informational purposes only. It may contain inaccuracies and should be independently verified. This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making health decisions.

Quick facts

Description: BENZYL ALCOHOL — preservative, solvent, fragrance ingredient.

All Functions: preservative, solvent, fragrance ingredient

Quick Facts:

Category: preservative
Regulatory Note: Restricted in the EU

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

Benzyl alcohol is a preservative, solvent, and fragrance ingredient used in many skincare products
True allergic sensitization to benzyl alcohol is very rare — only 0.21% of over 70,000 patch-tested patients showed a positive reaction
Most positive reactions observed were weakly positive, and reproducibility was low
When sensitization does occur, it’s most common in older adults and people with existing leg dermatitis
Regulatory bodies have concluded benzyl alcohol is safe at concentrations currently used in cosmetics

Chemical Overview

Benzyl alcohol appears as a clear colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Slightly denser than water. Flash point 194 °F. Boiling point 401 °F. Contact may irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be slightly toxic by ingestion. Used to make other chemicals. Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol that consists of benzene bearing a single hydroxymethyl substituent. It has a role as an antioxidant, a metabolite, a solvent and a fragrance. Benzyl alcohol is a metabolite found in or produced by Escherichia coli (strain K12, MG1655).

Source(s): ChEBI, E. coli Metabolome Database (ECMDB), CAMEO Chemicals, via PubChem