BENZYL ALCOHOL
Official label name (INCIInternational name of cosmetic ingredients: the one printed on the pack. name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 3243
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
- Preservative allowed under conditions (Annex V)
BENZYL ALCOHOL: Allowed with restrictions (Annex III, entry 45); preservative allowed under conditions, maximum 1.0% in the ready-for-use preparation (Annex V, entry 34), under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Good to know: classified as a sensitiser (skin allergy); allergen to name on the label above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product. Annexes of the Regulation consulted on 23 October 2026.
Who it concerns
What official classifications and rules say for each group. A classification describes the hazard of the pure substance, not the risk of a product that contains it, which depends on the dose and the exposure.
Prohibition or serious classificationThe text prohibits the substance for this use, or ranks it among the most serious hazards (known or presumed carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic, identified endocrine disruptor).Worth watchingThe text sets a condition or flags a hazard worth knowing: allergen, suspected effect, condition for children, hazard to the aquatic environment.For informationOfficial information with no condition on a finished product: warning to read, irritation of the pure substance.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
No classification harmonised by the European Union covers reproduction, the unborn child or breastfeeding for this substance. This does not mean it has been judged to have no effect during pregnancy.
Babies and children
The Cosmetics Regulation sets no age-related condition for this ingredient.
Skin, eyes and allergies
Worth watchingThe text sets a condition or flags a hazard worth knowing: allergen, suspected effect, condition for children, hazard to the aquatic environment.
Worth watching Classified under the CLPEU regulation that classifies chemicals by their hazards (EC No 1272/2008). Regulation: eye irritation, category 2 (Eye Irrit. 2); skin sensitisation, category 1B (Skin Sens. 1B).
Worth watching Allergen to declare: Annex III, entry 45, requires it to be named in the ingredient list above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product, so that allergic people can avoid it.
Environment
No harmonised classification as hazardous to the aquatic environment, and it is not on ECHAEuropean Chemicals Agency.'s Candidate List as an endocrine disruptor for the environment.
Read on the label
The Cosmetics Regulation requires no warning to be printed for this ingredient.
Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated version, Annex VI table 3, retrieved 21 October 2026.
CosIng, Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (restricted substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
In plain words
What it is used for
Functions declared by manufacturers:
Preservative: inhibits primarily the development of micro-organisms in cosmetics.
Solvent: dissolves other substances.
Viscosity controlling: increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetics.
Perfuming.
Functions declared in the CosIngThe European Commission's database of cosmetic ingredients. inventory. CosIng, inventory of cosmetic ingredients (INCI names, CAS, EC, functions), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Definitions of functions (decision repealed on 8 May 2020, cited for information). Decision 2006/257/EC, inventory of cosmetic ingredients (definitions of functions), retrieved 22 October 2026.
What the rules say
Allowed, with restrictions: Annex III sets the product types allowed. Ingredient lists do not give quantities, so the concentration cannot be checked on the label.
An ingredient can be used as a preservative only if it appears on the list of Annex V. BENZYL ALCOHOL is on it with a maximum concentration.
CosIng, Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (restricted substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
CosIng, Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (allowed preservatives), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Origin and odour
Molecule occurring naturally in plants or organisms; the cosmetic ingredient may be extracted from them, produced by fermentation or synthesised: the label does not say which.
Basis: one CosIng CAS and natural occurrence recorded in Wikidata (LOTUS database).
Wikidata: names of substances in six languages and taxa in which they occur (largely from the LOTUS database), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Natural occurrence recorded in Wikidata (LOTUS database): 136 taxa; examples: Prunus armeniaca, Prunus cerasus, Populus balsamifera, Populus alba, Vaccinium macrocarpon.
Wikidata: names of substances in six languages and taxa in which they occur (largely from the LOTUS database), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Odour described (source text in English)
Faint aromatic odorO'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Cambridge, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2013., p. 198
HSDB, NLM web policies, public domain. PubChem (NCBI, NIH): odor descriptions of fragrance ingredients, with their references, retrieved 24 October 2026.
Other names: alcool benzylique (French), Benzylalkohol (German), alcohol bencílico (Spanish), alcool benzilico (Italian), álcool benzílico (Portuguese).
Wikidata: names of substances in six languages and taxa in which they occur (largely from the LOTUS database), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Present in 15.9% of recorded cosmetics (3 154 out of 19 871), mainly: shampoos, deodorants, shower gels.
Open Beauty Facts, export of cosmetic products, retrieved 23 October 2026.
Data “Open Beauty Facts and its contributors”, licensed under ODbL 1.0 (opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0); derived table distributed under the same licence.
The text of the annexes
Allowed with restrictions
| Product type |
|---|
| (a) Solvent |
| (b) Fragrance/ aromatic compositions/ their raw materials |
- Other conditions
- For purposes other than inhibiting the development of microorganisms in the product. This purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product. The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.
- Entry
- Annex III, No 45
- Substance
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Glossary names
- BENZYL ALCOHOL
- CAS
- 100-51-6
- EC
- 202-859-9
Dates in the act (3)
- Entry into force on 16 August 2023
- Placing on the market until 31 July 2026
Cosmetic products containing that substance that do not comply with the restrictions may be placed on the Union market until 31 July 2026 and made available on the Union market until 31 July 2028.
- Making available until 31 July 2028
Cosmetic products containing that substance that do not comply with the restrictions may be placed on the Union market until 31 July 2026 and made available on the Union market until 31 July 2028.
Excerpts from the English text published in the Official Journal. A date may concern only some substances of the act: the excerpt says so.
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III, entry 45. CosIng, Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (restricted substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Entry from Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, adopted on 26 July 2023.
Preservative allowed under conditions
- Maximum concentration
- 1.0%
- Entry
- Annex V, No 34
- Substance
- Benzyl alcohol (7)
- Glossary names
- BENZYL ALCOHOL
- CAS
- 100-51-6
- EC
- 202-859-9
Dates in the act (2)
- Entry into force on 15 May 2013
- Application from 11 July 2013
It shall apply from 11 July 2013.
Excerpts from the English text published in the Official Journal. A date may concern only some substances of the act: the excerpt says so.
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V, entry 34. CosIng, Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (allowed preservatives), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Entry from Regulation (EU) n° 344/2013, adopted on 4 April 2013.
What has changed, and what will change
Dates of the texts that cover this ingredient. A text date may cover several substances: the details of each entry are below.
Annex V, entry 34: introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) n° 344/2013
Annex V, entry 34: applies from this date
Annex III, entry 45: introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545
CLP classification “Acute Tox. 4” applicable at the latest from this date (Regulation (EU) 2024/197)
Annex III, entry 45: a new product that does not comply can no longer be placed on the market
- upcoming
Annex III, entry 45: a product that does not comply can no longer be sold, even from stock
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 32153
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 100-51-6
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 202-859-9
- Declared functions
- Preservative, Solvent, Viscosity controlling, Perfuming
- Wikidata
- Q52353
- PubChem
- 244
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.002.600
- InChIKey
- WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
CosIng inventory. CosIng, inventory of cosmetic ingredients (INCI names, CAS, EC, functions), retrieved 21 October 2026.
Wikidata, items with a CosIng identifier (P3073), retrieved 22 October 2026.
Wikidata, PubChem and ECHA links are published only when verified: same CosIng identifier, a single item, matching CAS number.
Classified hazard (CLP Regulation)
The harmonised classification is the one set by the European Union for the whole Union. H codes refer to the hazard statements of Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
benzyl alcohol
Neither carcinogenic, mutagenic nor toxic for reproduction under the harmonised classification
- Hazard classes
- Acute toxicity, category 4 (Acute Tox. 4)
Eye irritation, category 2 (Eye Irrit. 2)
Skin sensitisation, category 1B (Skin Sens. 1B) - Hazard statements
- H302 H319 H317
Annex VI, entry 603-057-00-5, linked by CAS 100-51-6. Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated version, Annex VI table 3, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Entry introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2024/197, applicable at the latest from 1 September 2025.
EU product alerts (Safety Gate)
26 alerts on cosmetic products cite this name in their hazard description. An alert targets a specific product, not the ingredient itself. Under each alert, its reason (prohibited substance, limit exceeded, missing labelling, and so on), as published.
The 10 most recent are listed below. All alerts.
- 18 September 2026: Aftershave lotion, Neptune, Greece (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains benzyl alcohol but the presence is not indicated in the list of ingredients. Consumers are not aware of its presence and may suffer allergic reactions or skin sensitisation.Moreover, the product also contains allergenic fragrances… - 11 September 2026: Perfume, Tesori d'Oriente, Greece (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains benzyl alcohol which is not indicated on the label. Consumers are not aware of its presence, and may suffer allergic reactions or skin sensitisation. The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation. - 24 July 2026: Perfume, LUXURE PARFUMES, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains benzyl alcohol, but the presence is not indicated in the list of ingredients. Consumers are not aware of their presence, and may suffer allergic reactions or skin sensitisation. The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products…
7 other alerts
- 12 June 2026: Eau de toilette, Yodeyma, Spain (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains benzyl alcohol, but the presence is not indicated in the list of ingredients. Consumers are not aware of their presence, and may suffer allergic reactions or skin sensitisation. The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products… - 5 June 2026: Hair cream, ORZENE, Greece (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains the allergenic fragrance benzyl alcohol, which is not mentioned in the list of ingredients. Failure to mention the presence of an allergenic fragrance in the labelling in leave-on products may cause dermatitis/eczema, or more serious skin… - 6 February 2026: Deodorant, Cien, France (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains benzyl alcohol and geraniol, but their presence is not indicated in the list of ingredients. Consumers are not aware of their presence and may suffer allergic reactions or skin sensitisation. The product does not comply with the Cosmetic… - 4 April 2025: Nail design set, MARTINELIA, Spain (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains the allergenic fragrance benzyl alcohol, (measured value up to: 715 µg/g) which is not mentioned in the list of ingredients. This fragrance can cause allergic contact dermatitis to sensitised persons. The product fails to comply with… - 7 March 2025: Perfume, Slovakia (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products. BMHCA may harm the reproductive system, may harm the health of the unborn child and may cause skin sensitisation. Moreover, the product contains… - 6 September 2024: Perfume, BLACK OPIUM, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
The perfume contains allergenic fragrances d-limonene, linalool, benzyl alcohol, citronellol, geraniol, hydroxycitronellal, cinnamyl alcohol, hexyl cinnamal and benzyl salicylate. These substances, which can induce allergic reactions and sensitisation, are… - 6 September 2024: Perfume, BLACK OPIUM, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
The perfume contains allergenic fragrances d-limonene, linalool, benzyl alcohol, citronellol, geraniol, hydroxycitronellal, cinnamyl alcohol, hexyl cinnamal and benzyl salicylate. These substances, which can induce allergic reactions and sensitisation, are…
Safety Gate, EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products: cosmetic alerts from the weekly reports, retrieved 23 October 2026.
Source: European Commission, Safety GateEU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products. weekly reports (CC0).
Elsewhere in the world
Information on other jurisdictions, with no effect on sale in France. What is covered, and what is not yet.
Comparison between countries
Most restrictive status in each country, and the maximum concentration cited. The details and the source of each rule follow.
| Country | Rule | Maximum concentration cited |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | Allowed with restrictions | 1% |
| United Kingdom | Allowed with restrictions | 1% |
| Switzerland | EU Regulation applies | 1% |
| United States (federal) | No federal rule recorded | not cited |
| Canada | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| Japan | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| South Korea | Restricted differs from the EU | 1 to 10% |
| China | Not on the prohibited lists recorded (lists of allowed substances are not recorded) | not cited |
| Australia | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| ASEAN | Restricted (conditions or maximum concentration) | 1% |
| Taiwan | Allowed preservative | 1% |
| Brazil | Allowed under conditions | 1% |
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
- Preservative allowed under conditions (Annex V)
Same entries as in the European Union. Their maximum concentrations are compared in the “Comparison between countries” table; other conditions (product types, warnings) may differ.
Annexes II to VI in force. United Kingdom, Annexes II to VI of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as retained and amended, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Northern Ireland applies EU law.
Switzerland
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies in Switzerland (Article 54 of the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles).
Switzerland, FDHA Ordinance on Cosmetic Products (OCos, SR 817.023.31), consolidated version, retrieved 22 October 2026.
United States, federal rules
None of the integrated sections of the federal code (21 CFR 700.11 to 700.27 and 250.250) targets this name. The FDA does not publish a list of allowed ingredients.
United States, 21 CFR part 700 and section 250.250 (FDA rules on cosmetic ingredients), eCFR, retrieved 21 October 2026.
The eCFR is not an official legal edition of the Code of Federal Regulations.
South Korea
- Restricted: 벤질알코올 (BENZYL ALCOHOL)
별표 2, 보존제 성분 (preservatives), entry 16, page 4. Limit: 1.0% (다만, 두발 염색용 제품류에 용제로 사용할 경우에는 10%).
South Korea, MFDS Regulation on Safety Standards for Cosmetics, Notification 2026-19, retrieved 22 October 2026.
Source: 식품의약품안전처 (MFDS), 화장품 안전기준 등에 관한 규정, via law.go.kr; table formatted by the publisher of this site.
ASEAN (South-East Asia)
- Restricted (conditions or maximum concentration): Benzyl alcohol( Benzyl Alcohol
Annex III (restricted substances), entry 45, page 130.
Conditions, source text
Field of application and/or use: (a) Solvents (b) Fragrance/aromatic compositions/their raw materials | Other limitations and requirements: For purposes other than inhibiting the development of microorganisms in the product. This purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product. For use as a preservative, see Annex V, No 34.
- Allowed preservative: Benzyl alcohol (8)
Annex VI (allowed preservatives), entry 34, page 274. Limit: 1%.
Conditions, source text
Note (8): For non-preservative usage see Annex III. Part 1, entry 45
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, Annexes II, III, IV, VI and VII (version 2026-1 of 22 June 2026, Annex VII 2025-2), retrieved 24 October 2026.
Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Documents, Annexes of the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, as published by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA, Singapore); table extracted and formatted by the publisher of this site, with no endorsement by HSA or ASEAN.
Taiwan
- Allowed preservative: Benzyl alcohol
化粧品防腐劑成分名稱及使用限制表 (allowed preservatives). Limit: 1%.
Taiwan, TFDA cosmetic ingredient tables (prohibited, restricted, preservatives, UV filters, colorants), open data, retrieved 24 October 2026.
Source: Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), open datasets on data.gov.tw (Open Government Data License, version 1.0); table formatted by the publisher of this site.
Brazil
- Allowed under conditions: Álcool benzílico (*) (BENZYL ALCOHOL)
RDC 528/2021, Anexo (allowed preservatives), entry 32, page 4. Limit: 1.0%.
Brazil, ANVISA resolutions RDC 529/2021, 528/2021, 600/2022 and 628/2022, retrieved 22 October 2026.
Source: ANVISA. Text of the adopted draft resolutions, as the Official Journal could not be accessed; the 2021 lists of prohibited substances and preservatives were compared with the copy of the published text distributed by the State of Paraná, the 2022 lists of UV filters and colorants were not.
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
3,155 recorded products list it, according to Open Beauty Facts contributors. Records are dated: the formula may have changed. See the list (in French).
Open Beauty Facts, export of cosmetic products, retrieved 23 October 2026.
Data “Open Beauty Facts and its contributors”, licensed under ODbL 1.0 (opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0); derived table distributed under the same licence.
Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 23 October 2026.