Benzyl Salicylate is a widely used synthetic aroma chemical and fragrance ingredient known for its soft, sweet, floral, balsamic, and slightly powdery scent. It is especially valued in perfumery for its ability to enhance floral fragrances, improve fragrance longevity, and act as a fixative. Benzyl Salicylate has a delicate, warm, sweet-floral character with subtle jasmine-like, balsamic, and musky undertones. Its mild fragrance blends beautifully with white florals, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, amber, and musk compositions. It is commonly used in fine fragrances, cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, lotions, and other personal care products.
Product Name Benzyl Salicylate
Chemical Name Benzyl 2-Hydroxybenzoate
INCI Name Benzyl Salicylate
CAS Number 118-58-1
Molecular Formula C₁₄H₁₂O₃
Molecular Weight 228.24 g/mol
Appearance Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid
Odour Sweet, soft floral, balsamic, slightly powdery
Fragrance Note Base Note / Fixative
Solubility Practically insoluble in water; soluble in ethanol and many fragrance oils
Product Type Synthetic Aroma Chemical
Applications Perfumery, cosmetics, personal care and fragrance formulations
Fragrance Profile
Sweet Floral 90%
Balsamic 80%
Powdery 70%
Jasmine-like 65%
Soft Musky 55%
Illustrative fragrance characteristics, not analytical composition.
Main Uses of Benzyl Salicylate
1. Fine Perfumery
Benzyl Salicylate is widely used in perfumes, eau de parfum, colognes, and fragrance concentrates. It adds softness, warmth, and depth to floral compositions while helping create a smooth, well-balanced fragrance.
2. Fragrance Fixative
One of its most important functions is as a fixative. Its relatively low volatility helps support the persistence of fragrance compositions and can soften the transition between floral and base notes.
3. Jasmine and White Floral Fragrances
Frequently used in jasmine, gardenia, tuberose, lily, ylang-ylang, and other white floral accords. It enhances the sweet, creamy, floral character of these compositions.
4. Cosmetics and Skincare Products
Used as a fragrance ingredient in body lotions, creams, moisturizers, body butters, and cosmetic formulations to provide a soft, pleasant scent.
5. Hair Care Products
Commonly incorporated into fragrance blends for shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and styling products.
6. Soap and Body Wash Formulations
Used in soap fragrances, shower gels, liquid soaps, and body washes to add floral warmth and help support fragrance longevity.
7. Solvent for Fragrance Ingredients
Benzyl Salicylate can also function as a solvent or diluent for certain fragrance materials, assisting in the preparation of perfume concentrates.
8. Home Fragrance Products
Used in fragrance formulations for candles, reed diffusers, air fresheners, and household products, subject to suitability testing.
Suggested Usage in Perfumery
Application Illustrative Starting Level
Fine fragrance concentrate 1–10%
Jasmine and white floral accord 3–15%
Floral perfume base 2–10%
Woody and amber accord 1–5%
Musk fragrance accord 1–5%
These are illustrative formulation ranges within fragrance concentrates, not verified IFRA maximum usage levels. Actual permitted concentrations depend on the finished-product category and applicable safety standards.
Blends Well With
- Jasmine Absolute
- Rose Absolute
- Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
- Hedione
- Benzyl Acetate
- Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol
- Sandalore
- Ebanol
- Iso E Super
- Patchouli
- Vanilla and Benzoin
- Amber and Musk Fragrance Ingredients
Safety and Regulatory Information
Benzyl Salicylate is a regulated fragrance allergen in jurisdictions including the European Union. Its presence may need to be declared on cosmetic ingredient labels when applicable concentration thresholds are exceeded.
Benzyl Salicylate is not the same as salicylic acid and should not be marketed as a chemical exfoliant or acne-treatment active.
Storage: Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.
For cosmetic and perfumery formulation use only. Not intended for consumption.
