Ingredient guide ›

Benzyl Salicylate

A sweet floral note.

What it does

Adds a faint, sweet floral note to fragrances. It can also absorb some UV light.

Good to know

It's one of the EU's listed fragrance allergens, so it must be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products. Sensitive skin may react.

Often found in: Shampoos, Deodorants, Shower gels

Around the world

• United States: No label rule yet. A 2022 law told the FDA to require fragrance allergen labels, but that rule isn't out. Source
• EU and UK: EU: from 2027, max 0.5% in most leave-on and rinse-off products, 4% in perfume. Must be named on labels. UK: label rule only. Source
• Canada: Must be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products (since April 2026). Source
• Australia: No limit in Australia's Poisons Standard. Source

Sources

• SCCS opinion: Benzyl salicylate (2023) (Independent)
• SCCS opinion: Fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (2012) (Independent)
• UK Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III (legislation.gov.uk) (Regulator)
• RIFM safety assessment: benzyl salicylate (2024) (Industry-funded)