Let me guess… You’re right here since you’ve had an allergic response to a skincare product and are questioning if Benzyl Salicylate could possibly be the perpetrator.
Let’s discover out:
What Is Benzyl Salicylate?
Benzyl Salicylate (also referred to as Benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate) is an ester of Salicylic Acid and Benzyl Alcohol. You will discover it in cloves and a number of other aromatic important oils.
At room temperature, Benzyl Salicylate is an nearly colourless liquid. It additionally a stunning floral aroma (trace: that’s its foremost use in skincare).
Right here’s one thing chances are you’ll not know: this ingredient isn’t unique to skincare. Benzyl Salicylate is a typical ingredient in perfumes, deodorants, shampoos, and even family cleansing merchandise. It’s usually added to create a phenomenal scent or make it linger longer. You would possibly even discover it listed on the again of scented candles!
So, even when your skincare routine is fragrance-free, you might nonetheless encounter Benzyl Salicylate in different merchandise. Don’t say I haven’t warned ya!
What Does Benzyl Salicylate Do In Skincare?
Benzyl Salicylate does nothing to your pores and skin. It may’t moisturise it, soothe it, or make it age extra slowly. Right here’s what it does as an alternative:
Perfume: It offers skincare merchandise a faint, candy floral or musky scent. (Hint impurities in vegetation can affect and barely change its odour).
Perfume fixative: It helps perfume higher adhere to your pores and skin and last more. That’s good in case you purchase a fragrance. Not so good in a moisturiser… (Preserve studying to seek out out why)
Ultraviolet mild absorber: Don’t confuse it with UV filter. It’s not a sunscreen. It simply protects skincare merchandise or packaging from deteriorating when uncovered to UV rays.
Enjoyable truth: Benzyl Salicylate is a favourite within the perfume trade as a result of it blends properly with different scent elements. It provides depth and complexity, creating these signature scents all of us love. You’ll usually see it paired with jasmine, ylang-ylang, or lily-of-the-valley.
If you happen to’re a fan of recent, flowery fragrances, chances are high you’ve encountered Benzyl Salicylate extra occasions than you’ll be able to depend.
Associated: Is Perfume In Skincare As Dangerous As Paula Begoun Says?
Is Benzyl Salicylate Protected
Like all perfume substances, Benzyl Salicylate could cause irritations and allergic reactions – even in small quantities.
Let’s be clear: most individuals can use it safely. However in case you have delicate pores and skin and had a unfavorable response to a skincare product, that is prone to be the perpetrator.
This is the reason it’s a part of the “EU 26 fragrances” group that needs to be labelled individually. If you happen to’re allergic to it, you might want to know before you purchase that moisturiser.
What does this imply for you? The EU has strict laws about itemizing potential allergens, which is a win for customers with delicate pores and skin. In different components of the world, chances are you’ll must dig slightly deeper. If this ingredient isn’t explicitly listed, search for phrases like “perfume” or “parfum”. These could possibly be sneaky catch-all phrases hiding this ingredient.
Ought to You Use Benzyl Salicylate?
Fragrances aren’t the satan the skincare world makes them out to be. Certain, they don’t have any advantages for the pores and skin. However, they make skincare utility a extra nice expertise for hundreds of thousands of girls.
If you happen to get pleasure from scented skincare and the perfume doesn’t trouble your pores and skin, there’s no cause to cease utilizing it. It gained’t hurt your pores and skin.
Delicate pores and skin? You’ll want to watch out. Perfume-free skincare is the best choice for you.
Right here’s the kicker: even fragrance-free merchandise aren’t at all times 100% fragrance-free. Some could use substances like Benzyl Salicylate to masks disagreeable base odors whereas nonetheless advertising the product as “unscented.” At all times test the label in case you’re susceptible to unfavorable reactions.
The Backside Line
Benzyl Salicylate makes your skincare merchandise odor good. In case your pores and skin doesn’t have an issue with perfume, no hurt in that. Preserve having fun with its floral scent. Delicate pores and skin? That is an ingredient you need to keep away from.
Oh, and one very last thing. Simply because it exhibits up on the ingredient listing doesn’t robotically make it a villain. It’s all about discovering what works to your pores and skin. If one thing makes you glow and odor like a bouquet, who’s to argue with that?
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – daily. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that will help you work out what’s well worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that will help you create the perfect skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
