What it is
In the register’s words: “Benzyl Salicylate is the ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- BENZYL SALICYLATE
- CAS number
- 118-58-1
- EC number
- 204-262-9
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Benzyl Salicylate 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.
- 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.”
- Light stabilizer
-
Protects the product itself from damage by light in a clear bottle.
Register definition: “Protecting the cosmetic product from deterioration effects of light.”
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 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Stylers without it
- Hair oils 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Hair oils without it
Every label, product by product (12)
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo Shampoo 32nd of 37 names
- Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo Shampoo 41st of 41 names
- Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 25th of 33 names
- Cécred Detoxifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 34th of 38 names
- Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 41st of 41 names
- DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Deep conditioner 34th of 41 names
- Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment Deep conditioner · listed as **Benzyl Salicylate 49th of 50 names
- DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence Leave-in conditioner 32nd of 39 names
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel Styler 30th of 38 names
- TRESemmé Bouncy Curls Air Dry Foam Styler 14th of 17 names
- TRESemmé Bouncy Curls Defining Cream Styler 21st of 25 names
- Bouclème Revive 5 Hair Oil Hair oil · listed as †Benzyl Salicylate 30th of 31 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 perfuming ingredients on these labels
- Linalool 63 labels
- Citronellol 24 labels
- Geraniol 24 labels
- Hexyl Cinnamal 21 labels
- Coumarin 15 labels
- Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil 11 labels
- Amyl Cinnamal 9 labels
- Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone 7 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.