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benzyl salicylate

Let me guess… You’re here because you’ve had an allergic reaction to a skincare product and are wondering if Benzyl Salicylate could be the culprit.

Let’s find out:

What Is Benzyl Salicylate?

Benzyl Salicylate (also known as Benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate) is an ester of Salicylic Acid and Benzyl Alcohol. You can find it in cloves and several fragrant essential oils.

At room temperature, Benzyl Salicylate is an almost colourless liquid. It also a lovely floral aroma (hint: that’s its main use in skincare).

Here’s something you may not know: this ingredient isn’t exclusive to skincare. Benzyl Salicylate is a common ingredient in perfumes, deodorants, shampoos, and even household cleaning products. It’s often added to create a beautiful scent or make it linger longer. You might even find it listed on the back of scented candles!

So, even if your skincare routine is fragrance-free, you could still encounter Benzyl Salicylate in other products. Don’t say I haven’t warned ya!

What Does Benzyl Salicylate Do In Skincare?

Benzyl Salicylate does nothing for your skin. It can’t moisturise it, soothe it, or make it age more slowly. Here’s what it does instead:

  • Fragrance: It gives skincare products a faint, sweet floral or musky scent. (Trace impurities in plants can influence and slightly change its odour).
  • Fragrance fixative: It helps fragrance better adhere to your skin and last longer. That’s good if you buy a perfume. Not so good in a moisturiser… (Keep reading to find out why)
  • Ultraviolet light absorber: Don’t confuse it with UV filter. It’s not a sunscreen. It just protects skincare products or packaging from deteriorating when exposed to UV rays.

Fun fact: Benzyl Salicylate is a favorite in the fragrance industry because it blends well with other scent components. It adds depth and complexity, creating those signature scents we all love. You’ll often see it paired with jasmine, ylang-ylang, or lily-of-the-valley.

If you’re a fan of fresh, flowery fragrances, chances are you’ve encountered Benzyl Salicylate more times than you can count.

Related: Is Fragrance In Skincare As Bad As Paula Begoun Says?

Is Benzyl Salicylate Safe

Like all fragrance ingredients, Benzyl Salicylate can cause irritations and allergic reactions – even in small amounts.

Let’s be clear: most people can use it safely. But if you have sensitive skin and had a negative reaction to a skincare product, this is likely to be the culprit.

This is why it’s part of the “EU 26 fragrances” group that has to be labelled separately. If you’re allergic to it, you need to know before you buy that moisturiser.

What does this mean for you? The EU has strict regulations about listing potential allergens, which is a win for consumers with sensitive skin. In other parts of the world, you may need to dig a little deeper. If this ingredient isn’t explicitly listed, look for phrases like “fragrance” or “parfum”. These could be sneaky catch-all terms hiding this ingredient.

Should You Use Benzyl Salicylate?

Fragrances aren’t the devil the skincare world makes them out to be. Sure, they don’t have any benefits for the skin. But, they make skincare application a more pleasant experience for millions of women.

If you enjoy scented skincare and the fragrance doesn’t bother your skin, there’s no reason to stop using it. It won’t harm your skin.

Sensitive skin? You need to be careful. Fragrance-free skincare is the best option for you.

Here’s the kicker: even fragrance-free products aren’t always 100% fragrance-free. Some may use ingredients like Benzyl Salicylate to mask unpleasant base odors while still marketing the product as “unscented.” Always check the label if you’re prone to negative reactions.

The Bottom Line

Benzyl Salicylate makes your skincare products smell nice. If your skin doesn’t have a problem with fragrance, no harm in that. Keep enjoying its floral scent. Sensitive skin? This is an ingredient you want to avoid.

Oh, and one last thing. Just because it shows up on the ingredient list doesn’t automatically make it a villain. It’s all about finding what works for your skin. If something makes you glow and smell like a bouquet, who’s to argue with that?

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.