What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “Benzyl benzoate; Phenylmethyl benzoate.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- BENZYL BENZOATE
- CAS number
- 120-51-4
- EC number
- 204-402-9
- Other names in the register
- Phenylmethyl benzoate
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Benzyl Benzoate in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Antimicrobial
-
Slows the growth of microbes, in the product or on the surface it touches. Some preservatives, extracts and essential oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.”
- Solvent
-
Dissolves other ingredients. Water is the most common; some alcohols and glycols carry this role too.
Register definition: “Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).”
- Perfuming
-
Used as a perfume or scent material. Essential oils and their scent compounds, such as linalool and limonene, carry this role.
Register definition: “Used for perfume and aromatic raw materials.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Stylers without it
- Protein treatments 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Protein treatments without it
- Heat protectants 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Heat protectants without it
- Hair oils 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Hair oils without it
- Curl refreshers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (22)
- The Doux SUCKA FREE Moisturizing Shampoo Shampoo 21st of 23 names
- tgin Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo Shampoo 23rd of 24 names
- Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 13th of 16 names
- Bouclème Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner · listed as **Benzyl Benzoate 36th of 38 names
- PATTERN Medium Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 38th of 38 names
- DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Deep conditioner 29th of 41 names
- tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep conditioner 23rd of 29 names
- Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment Deep conditioner · listed as **Benzyl Benzoate 46th of 50 names
- PATTERN Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 26th of 26 names
- DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence Leave-in conditioner 27th of 39 names
- PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 36th of 43 names
- tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 29th of 34 names
- Bouclème Curl Cream Leave-in conditioner · listed as **Benzyl Benzoate 37th of 38 names
- tgin Curl Bomb Moisturizing Styling Gel Styler 22nd of 27 names
- PATTERN Curl Gel Styler 32nd of 38 names
- Bouclème Curl Defining Gel Styler · listed as **Benzyl Benzoate 31st of 31 names
- Bouclème Super Hold Styler Styler · listed as **Benzyl Benzoate 48th of 48 names
- Curl Junkie Repair Me! Reconstructive Hair Treatment Protein treatment · listed as *Benzyl Benzoate 22nd of 22 names
- TRESemmé Protecting Heat Styling Spray Heat protectant 23rd of 29 names
- Bouclème Curl Defence Spray Heat protectant · listed as †Benzyl Benzoate 34th of 35 names
- Bouclème Revive 5 Hair Oil Hair oil · listed as †Benzyl Benzoate 26th of 31 names
- PATTERN Hydrating Mist Curl refresher 45th of 52 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other antimicrobial ingredients on these labels
- Phenoxyethanol 120 labels
- Cetrimonium Chloride 39 labels
- Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract 25 labels
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract 15 labels
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate 6 labels
- Chlorphenesin 5 labels
- Alcohol Denat. 3 labels
- Cetrimonium Bromide 3 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.