BENZYL SALICYLATE
Official label name (INCIInternational name of cosmetic ingredients: the one printed on the pack. name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 3259
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
BENZYL SALICYLATE: Allowed with restrictions, with limits depending on the product type (Annex III, entry 75), 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: skin sensitisation, category 1B (Skin Sens. 1B).
Worth watching Allergen to declare: Annex III, entry 75, 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:
Perfuming.
Light stabilizer.
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 a maximum concentration and the product types allowed. Ingredient lists do not give quantities, so the concentration cannot be checked on the label.
CosIng, Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (restricted substances), 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): 23 taxa; examples: Aniba, Aniba affinis, Plumeria rubra, Plumeria obtusa, Syzygium aromaticum.
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 sweet odorLarranaga, M.D., Lewis, R.J. Sr., Lewis, R.A.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 16th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ 2016., p. 162
HSDB, NLM web policies, public domain. PubChem (NCBI, NIH): odor descriptions of fragrance ingredients, with their references, retrieved 24 October 2026.
Other names: salicylate de benzyle (French), Salicylsäurebenzylester (German), Salicilato de bencilo (Spanish), Benzil salicilato (Italian).
Wikidata: names of substances in six languages and taxa in which they occur (largely from the LOTUS database), retrieved 23 October 2026.
Present in 9.3% of recorded cosmetics (2 113 out of 22 629), 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 | Maximum concentration |
|---|---|
| (a) Fragrance products (hydroalcoholic and non-hydroalcoholic, spray and non-spray) | 4% |
| (b) Rinse-off skin and hair products (except shower gel/bath products) | 0.5% |
| (c) Shower gel/bath products | 1.3% |
| (d) Leave-on skin and hair products (non-spray/non-aerosol) (except body lotion) | 0.5% |
| (e) Leave-on hair products (spray/aerosol) | 0.5% |
| (f) Body lotion | 0.7% |
| (g) Face make-up and make-up remover products | 0.2% |
| (h) Oral products | 0.004% |
| (i) Deodorant products (spray/aerosol) | 0.91% |
- Other conditions
- 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 75
- Substance
- Benzyl salicylate
- Glossary names
- Benzyl salicylate
- CAS
- 118-58-1
- EC
- 204-262-9
Dates in the act (4)
- Entry into force on 18 May 2026
- Placing on the market from 1 January 2027
From 1 January 2027 cosmetic products containing these substances and not complying with the restrictions shall not be placed on the Union market
- Making available from 1 July 2028
From 1 July 2028 cosmetic products containing these substances and not complying with the restrictions shall not be made available on the Union market
- Making available from 1 August 2028
From 1 August 2028 cosmetic products containing these substances and not complying with the restrictions shall not be made available on the Union market
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 75. CosIng, Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (restricted substances), retrieved 23 October 2026, source updated 13 October 2026.
Entry from Regulation (EU) 2026/909, adopted on 27 April 2026.
SCCSEU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: it assesses cosmetic ingredients. opinions cited: Opinion concerning Essential Oils; Opinion concerning Fragrance Allergy in Consumers - A Review of the Problem - Analysis of the need for appropriate Consumer Information and Identification of Consumer Allergens; Opinion concerning the Interim Position on Fragrance Allergy; Memorandum on the SCCNFP Opinion concerning Fragrance Allergy; Opinion on Benzyl Salicylate (CAS No. 118-58-1, EC No. 204-262-9), preliminary version of 6-7 June 2023, final version of 26 October 2023, SCCS/1656/23..
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.
CLP classification “Skin Sens. 1B” applicable at the latest from this date (Regulation (EU) 2021/849)
Annex III, entry 75: introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2026/909
- upcoming
Annex III, entry 75: a new product that does not comply can no longer be placed on the market
- upcoming
Annex III, entry 75: a product that does not comply can no longer be sold, even from stock
- upcoming
Annex III, entry 75: a product that does not comply can no longer be sold, even from stock
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 32159
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 118-58-1
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 204-262-9
- Declared functions
- Perfuming, Light stabilizer
- Wikidata
- Q416929
- PubChem
- 8363
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.003.876
- InChIKey
- ZCTQGTTXIYCGGC-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 salicylate
Neither carcinogenic, mutagenic nor toxic for reproduction under the harmonised classification
- Hazard classes
- Skin sensitisation, category 1B (Skin Sens. 1B)
- Hazard statements
- H317
Annex VI, entry 607-754-00-5, linked by CAS 118-58-1. Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated version, Annex VI table 3, retrieved 21 October 2026.
Entry introduced or replaced by Regulation (EU) 2021/849, applicable at the latest from 17 December 2022.
EU product alerts (Safety Gate)
25 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: Perfume, Greece (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains benzyl salicylate, 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… - 29 May 2026: Perfume, BLUE FOR MEN, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains limonene, citronellol, citral, alpha-isomethyl lonone and benzyl salicylate, 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.… - 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…
7 other alerts
- 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, Yves Saint Laurent, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
The perfume contains allergenic fragrances linalool, hydroxycitronellal, cinnamyl alcohol, hexyl cinnamal and benzyl salicylate. These substances, which can induce allergic reactions and sensitisation, are not indicated in the list of ingredients so consumers… - 6 September 2024: Perfume, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
According to the list of ingredients, the product contains 2-(4-tertbutylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products. BMHCA can damage the reproductive system, harm fetal health and cause skin sensitisation. Moreover, the perfume… - 6 September 2024: Perfume, BLACK OPIUM, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains d-limonene, linalool, benzyl alcoholcitronellol, geraniol, cinnamyl alcohol, hexyl cinnamal, benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicylate, but their presence is not indicated in the list of ingredients. Consumers are not aware of their presence… - 3 May 2024: Body powder, Enchanteur, Germany (“Other types of alerts”) alert
The product contains excessive amounts of arsenic (measured value up to 25.5 mg/kg), lead (measured value up to 105.7 mg/kg) and cadmium (measured value up to 1.22 mg/kg). Arsenic may cause cancer, may damage fertility or the unborn child, causes damage to… - 27 October 2023: Eau de toilette, ELODE, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
According to the list of ingredients the product contains 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA), which is forbidden in cosmetic products. BMHCA may harm the reproductive system, may harm the health of the unborn child and may cause skin… - 27 January 2023: Eau de toilette, Shirley May, Czechia (“Serious risk”) alert
The product contains Benzyl salicylate (measured value up to 0.028% by weight) but this is not indicated on the label. Benzyl salicylate can induce allergic reactions in sensitive people. The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
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 | 0.004 to 4% |
| United Kingdom | Allowed with restrictions | not cited |
| Switzerland | EU Regulation applies | 0.004 to 4% |
| 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 | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| 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 | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| Taiwan | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
| Brazil | No entry in the lists recorded | not cited |
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Allowed with restrictions (Annex III)
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.
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
2,289 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.