Let me guess… You’re right here since you’ve had an allergic response to a skincare product and are questioning if Benzyl Salicylate might 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 beautiful floral aroma (trace: that’s its essential use in skincare).
Right here’s one thing it’s possible 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 typically added to create a good looking 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 could possibly 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 could’t moisturise it, soothe it, or make it age extra slowly. Right here’s what it does as a substitute:
- Perfume: It provides 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 when you purchase a fragrance. Not so good in a moisturiser… (Hold studying to seek out out why)
- Ultraviolet gentle 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 reality: Benzyl Salicylate is a favourite within the perfume business as a result of it blends nicely with different scent elements. It provides depth and complexity, creating these signature scents all of us love. You’ll typically see it paired with jasmine, ylang-ylang, or lily-of-the-valley.
For those who’re a fan of contemporary, flowery fragrances, likelihood is you’ve encountered Benzyl Salicylate extra instances than you’ll be able to depend.
Associated: Is Fragrance In Skincare As Bad As Paula Begoun Says?
Is Benzyl Salicylate Protected
Like all perfume elements, Benzyl Salicylate can cause irritations and allergic reactions – even in small quantities.
Let’s be clear: most individuals can use it safely. However you probably have delicate pores and skin and had a damaging response to a skincare product, that is prone to be the perpetrator.
Because of this it’s a part of the “EU 26 fragrances” group that needs to be labelled individually. For those who’re allergic to it, you could know earlier than you purchase that moisturiser.
What does this imply for you? The EU has strict laws about itemizing potential allergens, which is a win for shoppers with delicate pores and skin. In different elements of the world, it’s possible you’ll have to dig somewhat deeper. If this ingredient isn’t explicitly listed, search for phrases like “perfume” or “parfum”. These might 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 software a extra nice expertise for thousands and thousands of ladies.
For those who get pleasure from scented skincare and the perfume doesn’t trouble your pores and skin, there’s no purpose to cease utilizing it. It gained’t hurt your pores and skin.
Delicate pores and skin? It is advisable watch out. Perfume-free skincare is the most suitable choice for you.
Right here’s the kicker: even fragrance-free merchandise aren’t all the time 100% fragrance-free. Some might use elements like Benzyl Salicylate to masks disagreeable base odors whereas nonetheless advertising and marketing the product as “unscented.” At all times test the label when you’re susceptible to damaging reactions.
The Backside Line
Benzyl Salicylate makes your skincare merchandise scent good. In case your pores and skin doesn’t have an issue with perfume, no hurt in that. Hold having fun with its floral scent. Delicate pores and skin? That is an ingredient you need to keep away from.
Oh, and one final thing. Simply because it reveals up on the ingredient checklist 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 scent 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 finest pores and skin day ever – day by day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that will help you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest 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.
