What it is
In the register’s words: “Benzoic acid, C12-15 alkyl esters.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE
- CAS number
- 68411-27-8
- EC number
- 270-112-4
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for C12-15 Alkyl 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.”
- Emollient
-
Oils, butters and similar ingredients that make a surface feel soft and smooth. On hair they coat the strand; many plant oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.”
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
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 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Stylers 3 labels First five names: 1 of 3 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (6)
- Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo 10th of 15 names
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 6th of 26 names
- DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Deep conditioner 8th of 41 names
- Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion Styler 7th of 48 names
- Jessicurl Confident Coils Styling Solution Styler 4th of 13 names
- Jessicurl Spiralicious Styling Gel Styler 7th of 10 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
- Benzyl Benzoate 22 labels
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract 15 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.