Amyl Salicylate
AKA “Pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Pentyl salicylate, Benzoic acid, pentyl ester, SALICYLIC ACID, PENTYL ESTER, 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Amyl salicylate
AKA: Pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Pentyl salicylate, Benzoic acid, Pentyl ester, SALICYLIC ACID, PENTYL ESTER, 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid
Synthetic · Perfuming · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Fragrance
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Synthetic
Clean
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a subtle scent while helping to condition and soften skin. Commonly used in beauty products for its pleasant aroma.
Solubility 5 mg/L @ 20 °C (exp)
Formula
C12H16O3
Mol. Weight
208.25
CAS #
2050-08-0
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Developed in the early 20th century as a synthetic fragrance and preservative. Amyl salicylate was created to mimic natural salicylate compounds found in plants, offering a stable alternative for cosmetic formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe w/Qualifications
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
ewg-4
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
3.0%
0%4%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 3.0%. (a) 3.0% (b) 2.0%. Not to be used for children under three years of age (11) Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 98.
Regulatory Agencies
Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicylate, Isocetyl Salicylate, Iso
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Capryloyl Salicylic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Amyl Salicylate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulph...
Haibo Liu, Haiyan Yu, Jun Xia, Ling Liu, Guan J Liu, Hong Sang + 1 more
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulph...
Haibo Liu, Haiyan Yu, Jun Xia, Ling Liu, Guan J Liu, Hong Sang + 1 more
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulph...
Haibo Liu, Haiyan Yu, Jun Xia, Ling Liu, Guan J Liu, Hong Sang + 1 more
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulph...
Haibo Liu, Haiyan Yu, Jun Xia, Ling Liu, Guan J Liu, Hong Sang + 1 more
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR