Benzyl Glycol
No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.
Also written as: 2-(Benzyloxy)ethanol · Ethylene Glycol Monobenzyl Ether
What it is
Benzyl glycol is an aromatic glycol ether related to benzyl alcohol but with an added ethylene glycol unit. It is used as a solvent and antimicrobial booster rather than as a stand-alone preservative, and it is not on the EU Annex V list. It usually appears in blends with dehydroacetic acid, benzoic acid or phenoxyethanol.
What it does well
Improves the reach and performance of the main preservative
Its solvent action helps distribute the preservative system through the water and oil phases, allowing lower overall use levels. Consumer-level evidence is limited to formulation practice.
Limited evidence
Worth knowing
Little independent skin-safety literature
Unlike benzyl alcohol, benzyl glycol has almost no published patch-test data, so its allergenic potential is not well characterised, which means unknown rather than proven risky.
Matters most toPeople who prefer ingredients with a long published safety record.
Where the EU stands
No specific restriction
Not listed in Annex V and not otherwise restricted in EU cosmetics.
