An aromatic alcohol used as a preservative, solvent or fragrance component.
Sources: 1, 2No alternative names recorded.
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Benzyl Alcohol
What it does
Can help preserve or dissolve ingredients in a formula. It is different from ethanol and from fatty alcohols.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Formula preservation
How to use it
Use only within an appropriately formulated finished product. Preservatives are not a separate skincare application or a home treatment for infection.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
People with diagnosed benzyl alcohol contact allergy should check labels. It can also irritate at unsuitable exposures.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Antimicrobial and solvent functions depend on concentration and the surrounding formulation.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Irritation or allergic contact dermatitis may occur in susceptible users; inadequate preservation also carries risks.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Its purpose and permitted use depend on the formula and jurisdiction; a label position does not establish concentration.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Flagged
Relevant to fragrance-allergen assessment and labeling; individual allergy needs clinical context.
Sources: 1, 2 - Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
benzyl alcohol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 244 | PubChem compound 244: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C7H8O | PubChem compound 244: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 108.14 g/mol | PubChem compound 244: chemical identity |
| iupac name | phenylmethanol | PubChem compound 244: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Benzyl alcohol ingredient assessment recordsafety assessment
- European Commission: Fragrance allergen labelingregulatory guidance
- PubChem compound 244: chemical identitychemical identity
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