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 (often known as Benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate) is an ester of Salicylic Acid and Benzyl Alcohol. Yow will discover it in cloves and several other aromatic important oils.
At room temperature, Benzyl Salicylate is an nearly colourless liquid. It additionally a beautiful floral aroma (trace: that’s its fundamental 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 standard ingredient in perfumes, deodorants, shampoos, and even family cleansing merchandise. It’s usually added to create a phenomenal 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 might 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 may’t moisturise it, soothe it, or make it age extra slowly. Right here’s what it does as a substitute:
- Perfume: It offers skincare merchandise a faint, candy floral or musky scent. (Hint impurities in crops 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 for those who purchase a fragrance. Not so good in a moisturiser… (Hold studying to seek out out why)
- Ultraviolet mild 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 effectively with different scent parts. It provides depth and complexity, creating these signature scents all of us love. You’ll usually see it paired with jasmine, ylang-ylang, or lily-of-the-valley.
When you’re a fan of recent, flowery fragrances, likelihood is you’ve encountered Benzyl Salicylate extra instances than you may rely.
Associated: Is Perfume In Skincare As Dangerous As Paula Begoun Says?
Is Benzyl Salicylate Protected
Like all perfume components, Benzyl Salicylate could 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 detrimental response to a skincare product, that is prone to be the perpetrator.
That is why it’s a part of the “EU 26 fragrances” group that needs to be labelled individually. When you’re allergic to it, it’s good to know earlier than you purchase that moisturiser.
What does this imply for you? The EU has strict rules about itemizing potential allergens, which is a win for shoppers with delicate pores and skin. In different components of the world, it’s possible you’ll have to dig a bit of 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. Positive, 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.
When you get pleasure from scented skincare and the perfume doesn’t trouble your pores and skin, there’s no cause to cease utilizing it. It gained’t hurt your pores and skin.
Delicate pores and skin? It’s good to watch out. Perfume-free skincare is the best choice for you.
Right here’s the kicker: even fragrance-free merchandise aren’t at all times 100% fragrance-free. Some might use components like Benzyl Salicylate to masks disagreeable base odors whereas nonetheless advertising the product as “unscented.” At all times test the label for those who’re susceptible to detrimental 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 very last thing. Simply because it exhibits up on the ingredient record 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 jargon that will help you work out what’s well worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that will help you create one of the best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
