Let me guess… You’re right here since you’ve had an allergic response to a skincare product and are questioning if Benzyl Salicylate could possibly be the wrongdoer.
Let’s discover out:
What Is Benzyl Salicylate?
Benzyl Salicylate (also referred to as Benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate) is an ester of Salicylic Acid and Benzyl Alcohol. You could find 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 important use in skincare).
Right here’s one thing chances are you’ll not know: this ingredient isn’t unique to skincare. Benzyl Salicylate is a typical ingredient in perfumes, deodorants, shampoos, and even family cleansing merchandise. It’s usually added to create a lovely scent or make it linger longer. You may even discover it listed on the again of scented candles!
So, even when your skincare routine is fragrance-free, you possibly can 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 will possibly’t moisturise it, soothe it, or make it age extra slowly. Right here’s what it does as an alternative:
- Perfume: It provides skincare merchandise a faint, candy floral or musky scent. (Hint impurities in vegetation 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 if you happen to purchase a fragrance. Not so good in a moisturiser… (Preserve studying to seek out out why)
- Ultraviolet gentle 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’ll be able to depend.
Associated: Is Perfume In Skincare As Unhealthy As Paula Begoun Says?
Is Benzyl Salicylate Protected
Like all perfume substances, Benzyl Salicylate may cause irritations and allergic reactions – even in small quantities.
Let’s be clear: most individuals can use it safely. However when you’ve got delicate pores and skin and had a damaging response to a skincare product, that is more likely to be the wrongdoer.
Because of this it’s a part of the “EU 26 fragrances” group that needs to be labelled individually. When you’re allergic to it, it’s essential 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 elements of the world, chances are you’ll have to dig a bit deeper. If this ingredient isn’t explicitly listed, search for phrases like “perfume” or “parfum”. These could possibly 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 hassle your pores and skin, there’s no cause to cease utilizing it. It received’t hurt your pores and skin.
Delicate pores and skin? You must watch out. Perfume-free skincare is the best choice for you.
Right here’s the kicker: even fragrance-free merchandise aren’t all the time 100% fragrance-free. Some might use substances like Benzyl Salicylate to masks disagreeable base odors whereas nonetheless advertising the product as “unscented.” At all times examine the label if you happen to’re vulnerable to damaging 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. Preserve having fun with its floral scent. Delicate pores and skin? That is an ingredient you need to keep away from.
Oh, and one final thing. Simply because it exhibits up on the ingredient checklist doesn’t routinely 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-after-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 supply skincare consultations that will help you create the very best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.