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Benzyl Salicylate

Depends on youFragrancefragrancemaskinguv absorberEU-declared fragrance allergen

Genuinely relevant for some people, or depends on dose and pH.

Also written as: Benzyl o-Hydroxybenzoate · Salicylic Acid Benzyl Ester

What it is

Benzyl salicylate is a mild, sweet floral aroma chemical used as both a scent note and a fixative, and it also absorbs some UV light, which historically saw it used to protect fragrance blends from light damage. It occurs naturally in ylang-ylang and carnation. It is one of the original 26 EU declared fragrance allergens.

What it does well

  • Acts as a fixative that extends the life of a fragrance

    Its low volatility slows the evaporation of lighter notes. This is a formulation benefit rather than a skin benefit.

    Strong evidence

Worth knowing

  • Declared allergen with occasional positive patch tests

    Reactions are uncommon relative to the oxidised terpenes, but it is on the mandatory labelling list because sensitisation cases are documented.

    Matters most toPeople with a diagnosed fragrance allergy.

  • Endocrine-disruption concern has been assessed and not substantiated

    Benzyl salicylate was reviewed by the SCCS in 2023 as a potential endocrine disruptor. The committee found some indications of an endocrine mode of action but no evidence that this results in endocrine effects, and considered it safe up to the maximum concentrations submitted.

    Matters most toNobody in particular; this is worth knowing because the ingredient is often listed online as an endocrine disruptor without that context.

Where the EU stands

Concentration-restricted

One of the original 26 declared fragrance allergens, and now capped by concentration as well. The labelling threshold is unchanged: it must be named on the pack above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. Regulation (EU) 2026/909, in force since 18 May 2026, replaced Annex III entry 75 with a table of maximum concentrations by product type, acting on SCCS opinion SCCS/1656/23 of 26 October 2023. A face mask falls under either the leave-on skin row or the rinse-off skin row, and both are set at 0.5%. Products that do not comply may not be placed on the EU market from 1 January 2027, nor made available from 1 July 2028, so masks on sale today are unaffected.

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III entry 75 (replaced by Regulation (EU) 2026/909) · source ↗

Sources (1)

Every link goes to the original: a journal, a PubMed record or an EU document.

  1. [1]
    Opinion on Benzyl Salicylate (CAS No. 118-58-1, EC No. 204-262-9) (SCCS/1656/23)

    SCCS - Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, European Commission · 2023

    The SCCS considered benzyl salicylate safe at the maximum concentrations submitted, and found some indications of an endocrine mode of action but no evidence that this produces endocrine effects.

Masks that contain Benzyl Salicylate