Benzyl Alcohol
- CAS
- 100-51-6
- EC
- 2028599
- PubChem CID
- 244
- Molecular Formula
- C7H8O
- Molecular Weight
- 108.1400 g/mol
Used as a fragrance and preservative. Allergen; may cause skin reactions in some individuals.
What does it do?
Used as both a fragrance component and a preservative that limits microbial growth.
Details
An alcohol found naturally in some fruits and plants, but generally used synthetically in cosmetics. It serves as both a preservative that prevents microbial growth and a mild fragrancing agent. It is considered safe in low concentrations, but can cause skin allergies in some individuals. It may cause sensitivity, especially in scented products.
Hazards
Benefits
Functions
Restrictions
Function & Use
Perfuming
Viscosity Controlling
Solvent
Preservative
Regulatory note
- EU 1223/2009 Annex IIIRestricted
- EU 1223/2009 Annex VAllowed
Maximum concentration: 1%
Industry GHS notices (PubChem)
These are industry self-reports to ECHA, not our regulatory assessment.
- H227- Combustible liquid
- H302(100.0%)- Harmful if swallowed
- H312(100.0%)- Harmful in contact with skin
- H315(100.0%)- Causes skin irritation
- H317- May cause an allergic skin reaction
- H319(100.0%)- Causes serious eye irritation
- H331- Toxic if inhaled
- H332(100.0%)- Harmful if inhaled
- H335(100.0%)- May cause respiratory irritation
- H336- May cause drowsiness or dizziness
- H370- Causes damage to organs
- H401- Toxic to aquatic life
What The Sources Say
ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database)10
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Eye Irritation, classification: Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Irritation, classification: Not classified. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Sensitization, classification: Classification not possible. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Eye Irritation, classification: Category 6.4A (Category 2A). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Sensitization, classification: Category 6.5B (Category 1). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
+5 more records.
EPA ToxCast (high-throughput in vitro screening)1
EPA ToxCast ER model: NO estrogen receptor activity found (AUC agonist=0, antagonist=0). Tested in 18 in vitro assays. Caveat: this is an in vitro screening model with no dose or exposure context; it does NOT mean an effect occurs in humans at cosmetic use levels.
Scientific References
- EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DSSTox identifiers mapped to CAS (2021r1)US EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure
- EU CosIng — Cosmetic Ingredient Database full exportEuropean Commission, DG GROW
- OpenFDA Cosmetic Adverse Events (api.fda.gov/cosmetic/event)US FDA — unvalidated adverse event reports
- PubChem — CID-Synonym-filtered bulk + PUG REST propertiesNCBI / National Library of Medicine
- ToxCast ER model — Benzyl alcohol (DTXSID5020152)US EPA — ToxCast / CompTox
- ToxValDB — cancerUS EPA — ToxValDB v97
- ToxValDB — genotoxicityUS EPA — ToxValDB v97
- ToxValDB — skin/eyeUS EPA — ToxValDB v97