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LIQ-FC-10

FC-BENZYL ALCOHOL

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FC-Benzyl Alcohol is a colorless liquid used in personal care as a solvent, preservative, and fragrance ingredient, valued for its antimicrobial properties and gentle preservative action.

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General Description

Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with the chemical formula C₆H₅CH₂OH. It is a colorless, slightly viscous liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic scent. It occurs naturally in many plants and is also found in essential oils like jasmine and ylang-ylang. It is soluble in water and miscible with alcohol and ether. Benzyl alcohol is widely used due to its solvent properties and mild antimicrobial activity.

Uses in the Cosmetic Industry

Benzyl alcohol has several important roles in cosmetic and personal care formulations, including:

Preservative: It is commonly used to inhibit the growth of bacteria in products, often as part of a preservative system.

Solvent: Helps dissolve other ingredients, especially active ingredients or fragrances, to ensure uniform distribution.

Fragrance Ingredient: It contributes a mild floral aroma and is often added to enhance the scent profile of perfumes and lotions.

Viscosity Decreasing Agent: Helps reduce the thickness of liquids to improve spreadability or application.

Local Anesthetic: Used in very small amounts in some formulations for soothing minor skin irritation.

Common products containing benzyl alcohol:

  • Creams and lotions
  • Shampoos and conditioners
  • Facial cleansers and serums
  • Makeup removers
  • Perfumes and colognes

Hazards and Safety Concerns

Benzyl alcohol is generally regarded as safe when used in low concentrations (typically under 1%) in cosmetics. However, there are some safety considerations:

Skin Irritation: May cause mild irritation, especially on sensitive or broken skin.

Allergic Reactions: Can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals.

Inhalation Risk: In high concentrations, inhalation can cause respiratory irritation.

Infants & Young Children: Not recommended for use in leave-on products for infants, especially premature babies, due to risk of “gasping syndrome” when used in excessive amounts (due to its metabolite, benzoic acid).

Regulation: Restricted in some regions (e.g., EU Cosmetic Regulation) with specific concentration limits for use in cosmetics.

  • CAS Number: 100-51-6

    INCI Name: Benzyl Alcohol

    Composition: Pure benzyl alcohol (C₆H₅CH₂OH); aromatic alcohol derived naturally or synthesized

    Purity Grade: Typically ≥ 99.0% (Food/Cosmetic Grade – “fc” indicates high purity and suitability for use in cosmetic/personal care applications)

    Physical & Chemical Properties
    Appearance    : Clear, colorless, oily liquid

    Odor: Mild, pleasant, aromatic

    Solubility:
  • Water: Slightly soluble (~4 g/100 mL at 20°C)
  • Alcohol/Ether: Miscible
  • Oil: Soluble in many oils and organic solvents

Preservation Function: Acts as a preservative and antimicrobial agent, often in synergy with other preservatives (e.g., dehydroacetic acid, phenoxyethanol)

Effective Concentration: Typically 0.3% to 1.0% in cosmetic formulations

Efficacy: Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, especially against gram-positive bacteria

Storage Conditions: Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and sources of ignition

Temperature: Ideally below 25°C

Shelf Life: 24–36 months under recommended storage conditions

Raw Material Sources: Can be naturally derived from essential oils (e.g., jasmine, ylang-ylang, balsam of Peru)

Most commercial production is synthetic, typically from toluene via hydrolysis of benzyl chloride or through the Grignard reaction

Manufacturing Process Synthetic Route: Commonly manufactured via alkali hydrolysis of benzyl chloride, or from toluene oxidation followed by hydrogenation

Some manufacturers offer "natural origin" benzyl alcohol, derived via bio-based fermentation routes to meet ISO 16128 standards

Regulatory and Ethical Compliance
Animal Testing: Typically not tested on animals by responsible suppliers; availability of cruelty-free certification depends on brand policy and region

GMO Status: Non-GMO when derived from synthetic or verified bio-based feedstocks

Vegan: Yes – does not contain animal-derived ingredients

Proposition 65 (California): Benzyl alcohol is not currently listed under California Proposition 65 as a carcinogen or reproductive toxin

Warnings & Precautions: External Use Only: Not for ingestion or internal use

Skin Sensitization: May cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals

Infants Warning: Avoid use in leave-on products for infants or neonates, especially premature babies

Irritation Potential: May cause mild eye, skin, or respiratory irritation in high concentrations

Labeling: In the EU, benzyl alcohol must be declared on the label if concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off formulations (due to allergen listing requirement under Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009)

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

fc-Benzyl Alcohol is a high-purity, food/cosmetic-grade aromatic alcohol widely used in the personal care and cosmetic industry. It functions as a preservative, solvent, and fragrance component in various formulations such as creams, lotions, shampoos, and serums.

CAS Number: 100-51-6
INCI Name: Benzyl Alcohol

fc-Benzyl Alcohol is used as:
A preservative to prevent microbial contamination
A solvent to help dissolve active ingredients and fragrances
A fragrance ingredient due to its mild, pleasant aroma
A viscosity-decreasing agent for better product texture and application

Yes, when used within recommended concentrations (typically up to 1.0%), fc-Benzyl Alcohol is considered safe for topical use. It is approved by major regulatory bodies such as the EU Cosmetic Regulation, FDA, and CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review).

While generally well-tolerated, some individuals with sensitive skin may experience mild irritation or allergic contact dermatitis. It is listed among the EU’s 26 potential fragrance allergens, which must be labeled when exceeding certain concentrations (0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products).

It can be derived from natural sources (like jasmine or ylang-ylang oils), but most commercial grades—including fc (food/cosmetic grade)—are synthetically produced to ensure purity and consistency.

Yes, fc-Benzyl Alcohol is:
Vegan – does not contain animal-derived ingredients
Cruelty-free – typically not tested on animals, depending on supplier compliance with cruelty-free certifications

No, it is Non-GMO. When produced from verified feedstocks or synthetic processes, it contains no genetically modified materials.

Store it in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, away from heat and direct sunlight. Keep the container tightly sealed. Under proper storage, shelf life is typically 24–36 months.

The typical use level is 0.3% to 1.0%, depending on the formulation type and desired preservative efficacy.