BENZYL SALICYLATE

Fragrance Ingredient; Ultraviolet Light Absorber; MASKING; UV ABSORBER  

Also listed as

BENZOIC ACID, 2-HYDROXY-, PHENYLMETHYL ESTER; BENZYL 2-HYDROXYBENZOATE; BENZYL O-HYDROXYBENZOATE; 2-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, BENZYL ESTER; PHENYLMETHYL 2-HYDROXYBENZOATE; SALICYLIC ACID, BENZYL ESTER; PHENYLMETHYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID, 2-HYDROXY-; BENZYL ESTER 2-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID; BENZYL ESTER SALICYLIC ACID; 2-HYDROXY- PHENYLMETHYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID; BENZOIC ACID, 2HYDROXY, PHENYLMETHYL ESTER


Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

This ingredient:
noCancer
noDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yes, moderateViolations, restrictions & warnings
yes, strongAllergies/immunotoxicity
noContamination concerns
noLesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient:
Endocrine disruption, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Data gaps
 
See products containing BENZYL SALICYLATE

About BENZYL SALICYLATE: Benzyl Salicylate is the ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid.

BENZYL SALICYLATE has reported used in the following product types: hair color and bleaching (107); fragrance for women (71); facial moisturizer/treatment (53); moisturizer (45); styling gel/lotion (44); conditioner (39); lip gloss (36); body spray (30); anti-aging (29); shampoo (23)


Allergies/immunotoxicity

type of concern product conditions reference
Known human immune system toxicant    EU Banned and Restricted Fragrances

Violations, restrictions & warnings

type of concern product conditions reference
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Fragrance subject to restrictions: safe only within recommended use or concentration limitsn)   International Fragrance Association Codes & Standards

Endocrine disruption

type of concern product conditions reference
Associated with endocrine disruption    Charles AK, Darbre PD, 2009

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)    RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1973
show more

Ecotoxicology

type of concern product conditions reference
Suspected to be an environmental toxin     Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

type of concern product conditions reference
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel  
19 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->   PubMed

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be persistent     Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List
show more

Multiple, additive exposure sources

type of concern product conditions reference
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food   FDA Everything Added to Food



Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
FDA Everything Added to FoodBENZYL SALICYLATE• Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought.
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance ListBENZOIC ACID, 2-HYDROXY-, PHENYLMETHYL ESTER•This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected aquatic toxicity.
EU Banned and Restricted FragrancesBENZYL SALICYLATEFragrance chemical, which, according to existing knowledge, is frequently reported as a well-recognised consumer allergen
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient ListBENZYL SALICYLATE•The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008.
International Fragrance Association Codes & StandardsBENZYL SALICYLATE•Fragrance subject to restrictions: safe only within recommended use or concentration limits
Charles AK, Darbre PD, 2009BENZYL SALICYLATEBenzyl salicylate demonstrated estrogenic activity by increasing the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro.
RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1973BENZYL SALICYLATE• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50)

references

government/industry list/academic study reference
FDA Everything Added to FoodFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
EU Banned and Restricted FragrancesSCCPNFP (Scientific Committee On Cosmetic Products And Non-Food Products). 1999. Opinion Concerning Fragrance Allergy In Consumers. . SCCNFP/0017/98 Final, December 1999; and SCCPNFP (Scientific Committee On Cosmetic Products And Non-Food Products). 2000. An Initial List Of Perfumery Materials Which Must Not Form Part Of Fragrances Compounds Used In Cosmetic Products. SCCNFP/0320/00, final May 2000.
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient ListIFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25
International Fragrance Association Codes & StandardsIFRA (International Fragrance Association). 2006. Codes and Standards.
Open scientific literatureCharles AK, Darbre PD. 2009. Oestrogenic activity of benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate and butylphenylmethylpropional (Lilial) in MCF7 human breast cancer cells in vitro. J Appl Toxicol. 29(5): 422-34.
RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1973RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. (London, UK) V.1-19, 1963-81. For publisher information, see FCTOD7. 11,1029,1973

"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.

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