Benzyl salicylate explained

Benzyl salicylate is a salicylic acid benzyl ester, a chemical compound most frequently used in cosmetics as a fragrance additive or UV light absorber. It appears as an almost colorless liquid with a mild odor described as "very faint, sweet-floral, slightly balsamic" by some, while others smell nothing at all. There is debate whether the odour is caused solely by impurities or a genetic predisposition.^[1] It occurs naturally in a variety of plants and plant extracts and is widely used in blends of fragrance materials.^[2]

There is some evidence that people may become sensitized to this material^[3] and as a result, there is a restriction standard concerning the use of this material in fragrances by the International Fragrance Association.^[4]

It is used as a solvent for crystalline synthetic musks and as a component and fixative in floral perfumes such as carnation, jasmine, lilac, and wallflower.^[5]

See also

• Oil of wintergreen

Notes and References

1. Steffen Arctander: Perfume and Flavor Chemicals.
2. Web site: Benzyl salicylate . The Good Scents Company.
3. Toxicologic and Dermatologic Assessments for Three Groups of Fragrance Ingredients: 1) Related Esters and Alcohols of Cinnamic Acid and Cinnamic Alcohol, 2) Ionones, 3) Salicylates . Food and Chemical Toxicology . 45 . Supplement 1 . 2007 . 10.1016/j.fct.2007.09.087 . 18035463 . S1-23 . Belsito . D . Bickers . D . Bruze . M . Calow . P . Greim . H . Hanifin . JM . Rogers . AE . Saurat . JH . Sipes . IG . Tagami . H . 2012-04-05 . 2021-01-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210112105000/https://www.rifm.org/doc/Food%20%26%20Chem%20Tox%20RIFM%20Spec%20Suppl%20122007.pdf . dead .
4. Web site: Standards Restricted . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120104024607/http://www.ifraorg.org/en-us/standards_restricted/s3/p2 . 2012-01-04 .
5. An Introduction to Perfumery by Curtis & Williams 2nd Edition, 2009,,