Benzyl alcohol is a common botanical aromatic liquid that occurs in nature. You might be surprised to hear that it can be derived from several plants, including apricots, basil, cherries, cinnamon, cranberries, jasmine, and ylang-ylang.

It is also found in cocoa, honey, fruit juices, and green tea and has a gently floral, pleasant, and sweet fragrance.

Often, it is synthesized in labs to reduce the cost of using it as an ingredient in products.

What Is It Used For? 

Benzyl alcohol is a mild anesthetic, an antibacterial, and a good preservative.

Quite simply, it preserves, dissolves, and stabilizes many of the ingredients in our day-to-day cosmetic and topical medications. 

It is also anti-pruritic, which means it may help some people with itchy skin, but you should keep in mind that some people are allergic to it, too.

Lastly, it has a slightly floral scent, which means that it is often used to fragrance products.

What Products Can You Find It In? 

This is a common element used in soaps, cleansers, cosmetics, baby products, and skin creams, including sunscreen. You can also find it in fragrances, hair dyes, coloring agents, shampoos, and topical medications. 

It exists in small amounts in these products. The only product you will find relatively high amounts of it in is some shampoos for head lice. It’s safe to use for lice, but you should consult with your doctor for instructions.

Alternative Names For Benzyl Alcohol

As it’s a basic substance, you won’t find many varieties of this ingredient. You might, however, find it listed on product labels under other names like:

  • α-Hydroxytoluene
  • α-Toluenol
  • Benzenemethanol
  • Benzylic alcohol
  • Phenyl carbinol
  • Phenylmethyl alcohol

How To Include It In Your Beauty Routine

We don’t advise using this alcohol to make your own products. Do not use it in its pure form.

If you want to include it in your skin or hair care routine, choose products that contain it in small amounts. Provided you don’t have an allergy to it, it is entirely safe to use this way.

While the alcohol doesn’t have any direct benefits for your skin or hair, it can do several things when included in your beauty products.

Preserve Your Product

As it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, benzyl alcohol helps extend the shelf-life of many of your favorite products. Without it, your product might need to be preserved in the fridge or purchased for single use.

Antioxidant Properties

The alcohol’s antioxidant properties work as a barrier against damage to your products caused by free radicals.

Gently Scents

Its aromatic scent is a natural fragrance that gives your products a pleasant smell. 

Stabilizes Product Formula

It prevents oxidation of your product with its stabilizing properties. 

Lowers Viscosity

Benzyl alcohol lowers viscosity in products, enabling them to flow more easily.

Ingredient Solvent

The alcohol acts as a solvent to help dissolve other ingredients in a product formula.

Is It Safe To Use? 

This ingredient is safe for most people. Benzyl alcohol has a simple structure, C7H80, made of just carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen- so there are no carcinogens or harmful components like heavy metals.

The ingredient can trigger contact dermatitis in few people. If you have sensitive skin, it’s wise to do a patch test before using it on your face or scalp.

The symptoms of an allergic reaction include irritation, burning, and redness in the area you applied it to. For hair, it can cause an itchy and dry scalp.

Toxicity is also a rare risk factor if you excessively use products with higher concentrations of the ingredient. However, most well-formulated products have a low concentration that is safe for regular usage.

Summary

Benzyl alcohol is a common ingredient found in many of your favorite beauty products on the shelf today. It is mainly used for its preservative and stabilizing properties, as well as its aromatic scent.

It is perfectly normal to find it in shampoos, lotions, fragrances, hair dyes, and topical treatments. Provided it is present in small amounts, it is very rare to have any type of adverse reaction to it.