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Benzyl Salicylate
AKA “Benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Benzyl o-hydroxybenzoate, Salicylic Acid Benzyl Ester, Salicylic acid, benzyl ester, Phenylmethyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Benzoic acid, phenylmethyl ester”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Benzyl salicylate
AKA: Benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Benzyl o-hydroxybenzoate, Salicylic Acid Benzyl Ester, Salicylic acid, Benzyl ester, Phenylmethyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Benzoic acid, Phenylmethyl ester
Synthetic · Uv Absorber · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Sunscreen Filter
Fragrance
Chemical Exfoliant
Synthetic
Clean
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds subtle scent and helps protect against UV damage. May cause sensitivity in fragrance-allergic individuals.
Solubility Slightly soluble (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C14H12O3
Mol. Weight
228.24
CAS #
118-58-1
Form
Liquid
State
Benzyl salicylate is a colorless liquid. Melting point near room temperature (18-20 °C). (NTP, 1992)
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.
Uv Absorber
Blocks or absorbs UV rays to protect your skin from sun damage, dark spots, and premature aging.
Shields from UV damage
Traditional Use
Developed in the 20th century as a synthetic fragrance ingredient and preservative. Salicylates have roots in traditional medicine from willow bark, but benzyl salicylate is a laboratory-created compound designed to provide stable fragrance and antimicrobial properties in cosmetics.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Allergen Warning
⚠️ EU Fragrance Allergen
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Caution
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 Status
USA✔ permitted
EU✔ permitted
JAPAN✔ permitted
CANADA✔ permitted
Salicylic Acid.
, 2006
→
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
→
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Benzyl Salicylate as Used in Cosmetics
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 rescues multisystemic disease and perinatal lethality in a mouse model of mitochondrial disease.
Corral-Sarasa J, Martínez-Gálvez JM, González-García P, Wendling O, Jiménez-Sánchez L et al.
Cell reports, 2024
→
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Benzyl Salicylate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (ester)
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Salicylic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized stud
Dal Belo SE, Kanoun-Copy L, Lambert C, Cornillon C, Muller B et al.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2024
→
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
→
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
→
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
→
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Benzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Benzyl Salicylate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Salicylic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
4-Aminosalicylic acid and its salts
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
Acetylsalicylic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
Salicylic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
GC-MS/MS quantification of benzyl salicylate on skin and hair: A novel chemical simulant for human decontamination studies.
James T, Collins S, Amlôt R, Marczylo T
Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences, 2019
→
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
→
Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
→
Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
→
Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
→
Safety Assessment of Capryloyl Salicylic Acid as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Identification of didecyldimethylammonium salts and salicylic acid as antimicrobial compounds in commercial fermented radish kimchi.
Li J, Chaytor JL, Findlay B, McMullen LM, Smith DC et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2015
→
Identification of didecyldimethylammonium salts and salicylic acid as antimicrobial compounds in commercial fermented radish kimchi.
Li J, Chaytor JL, Findlay B, McMullen LM, Smith DC et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2015
→
Identification of didecyldimethylammonium salts and salicylic acid as antimicrobial compounds in commercial fermented radish kimchi.
Li J, Chaytor JL, Findlay B, McMullen LM, Smith DC et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2015
→
Identification of didecyldimethylammonium salts and salicylic acid as antimicrobial compounds in commercial fermented radish kimchi.
Li J, Chaytor JL, Findlay B, McMullen LM, Smith DC et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2015
→
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
→
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne.
Liu H, Yu H, Xia J, Liu L, Liu GJ et al.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
→
Impacts of Gum Arabic and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with Salicylic Acid on Peach Fruit (Prunus persica) Shelf Life.
Taher MA, Lo'ay AA, Gouda M, Limam SA, Abdelkader MFM et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2022
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR