What is benzyl alcohol?

It can be both synthetic and naturally occurring, in things like fruits and essential oils

It’s used as a solvent (i.e. to prevent lumps and to ensure a smooth liquid).

It’s used as a fragrance ingredient, and it’s used as a preservative, and as a solvent (i.e. to prevent lumps and to ensure a smooth liquid).

It’s used in head lice treatments, and for cold sores.

Is benzyl benzoate safe?

EWG Skin Deep rating: 6 (moderate hazard)

Health Concerns

There’s strong evidence on neurotoxicity, it’s toxic to humans and it’s a possible allergen.

It’s especially problematic for newborns, who can’t metabolize benzyl alcohol like healthy adults do. In the 1980’s, there were a number of infant deaths that were related to the use of benzyl alcohol as a preservative in a saline solution. Accordingly, it’s not recommended that benzyl alcohol be used on infants at all.

Also known as:

Chemical of the Day: http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/todays-chemical/2009/7/22/benzyl-alcohol.html

EWG Skin Deep Database: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/700697/BENZYL_ALCOHOL/

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzyl_alcohol

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