Benzyl alcohol

CAS Number:

100-51-6

Chem/ INCI Name: 

Benzyl Alcohol

Common Synonyms:

Phenylmethanol, Benzenemethanol

Molecular Formula:

C7H8O

Molecular Weight:

108.14 g/mol

Uses:

Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild, pleasant aroma. It functions as an effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative and a versatile solvent. Its primary applications are in:

· Cosmetics & Personal Care: Used as a preservative (typically at 0.5% to 2%) in creams, lotions, shampoos, and serums to prevent microbial growth. It is also used as a fragrance ingredient and solvent.

· Pharmaceuticals: Serves as a bacteriostatic preservative in intravenous medications and topical drugs.

· Industrial Applications: A common solvent for inks, paints, lacquers, and epoxy resin coatings. It is also a key precursor in the synthesis of various esters for perfumes and flavors.

Origin:

It can be found naturally in some fruits and teas. Synthetically, it is produced industrially from toluene, often via benzyl chloride hydrolysis or benzaldehyde hydrogenation.

What does Benzyl Alcohol  do in a formulation?

As defined by SpecialChem, its primary functions are: Antimicrobial, Preservative, Perfuming, Solvent, and Viscosity Controlling.

Safety Profile:

· General Safety: Recognized as safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products within recommended concentrations (often up to 2% as a preservative).

· Irritation & Sensitization: Considered one of the least sensitizing preservatives, though high concentrations can be drying or irritating. Hazard classifications typically include warnings for being harmful if swallowed and causing serious eye irritation.

· Critical Restrictions: Toxic to neonates (associated with "gasping syndrome") and must be avoided in products for this group. Its preservative efficacy is limited to formulations with a pH below 5.5. In perfumery, its use is restricted (e.g., to 2.5% in certain categories) due to sensitization potential.

Technical profile: