Benzyl Salicylate (CAS 118-58-1) — Sweet Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl Salicylate
CAS 118-58-1
What Is Benzyl Salicylate?
Benzyl salicylate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes, sunscreens, and cosmetic products. It provides a soft, balsamic sweetness that helps blend floral compositions. This versatile ingredient matters because it acts as both a fragrance and a solvent, extending the life of other scent components while adding its own subtle warmth to formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Benzyl Salicylate Smell Like?
Benzyl salicylate greets the nose with a delicate, powdery sweetness reminiscent of almond blossoms dipped in honey. As it evolves, the scent reveals a creamy balsamic heart with whispers of dried hay and faint floral undertones. The dry-down lingers as a skin-like musk with a comforting, slightly medicinal warmth – like sun-warmed linen infused with faint traces of antique perfume. Though not overpowering, its tenacity makes it an excellent fixative that subtly amplifies surrounding florals without dominating compositions.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a smoothing agent between the citrus top and vanilla-amber base, adding a velvety texture that prevents the oriental accord from becoming cloying.
Provides subtle balsamic depth to the floral bouquet, helping bridge the aldehydic sparkle with the powdery musks in the base.
Acts as a solvent for spice notes while contributing a sun-kissed skin effect that softens the fragrance’s intense oriental character.
Blends carnation and rose notes into a seamless whole, adding a faint powdery nuance that enhances the perfume’s vintage charm.
Provides a clean, slightly waxy texture that reinforces the crisp linen accord while preventing green notes from becoming harsh.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: OC1=C(C=CC=C1)C(=O)OCC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Benzyl salicylate is an ester formed from salicylic acid and benzyl alcohol. This aromatic compound belongs to the class of organic molecules known as benzyl esters, characterized by their stability and low volatility. Industrially, it’s synthesized through esterification of salicylic acid with benzyl alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst. The molecule lacks chirality, existing as a single stereoisomer. Its chemical stability makes it resistant to hydrolysis under normal formulation conditions, contributing to its longevity in fragrance compositions.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 300 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 24 °C |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Density | 1.176 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.580-1.585 |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0001 mmHg at 25°C |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 5-10% | Up to 20% | Used as fixative and modifier |
| Soaps | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds lasting power to floral accords |
| Detergents | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Provides subtle background warmth |
| Sunscreens | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Functional fragrance with UV stability |
Classic Accords
+ Rose + Violet = Vintage powder bouquet
+ Sandalwood + Amber = Soft oriental base
Tip: Use to round off sharp edges in floral compositions while boosting tenacity of top notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a less sweet, more neutral fixative is needed that won’t interfere with delicate floral nuances.
For a rosier, honeyed variant with similar fixative properties but greater floral affinity.
When a more pronounced powdery cherry-almond effect is desired in the heart notes.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards. Listed as safe for use in all fragrance categories without limitations (IFRA 49th Amendment).
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen. Does not require declaration under EU Cosmetics Regulation No 1223/2009.
GHS Classification
H319 Eye irritation
H335 May cause respiratory irritation
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels, with no evidence of phototoxicity or significant sensitization potential.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, benzyl salicylate production doesn’t deplete natural resources. Modern manufacturing processes have reduced environmental impact through improved catalyst recovery and energy efficiency. The compound’s stability contributes to fragrance longevity, potentially reducing reapplication frequency in end products. Some green chemistry initiatives are exploring enzymatic synthesis routes to further minimize waste.
Explore Benzyl Salicylate
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Bickers et al. (2003). The safety assessment of fragrance materials. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. PMID 14623481
- SCCS (2012). Opinion on benzyl salicylate. Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. SCCS/1453/11
- Arctander S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 118-58-1Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 228.24 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 207.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 7.8 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 82.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.5565💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.82💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1=CC=C(C=C1)COC(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | balsamicsweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterphenoletheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “of some people (including perfumers) absolutely odorless, while others find it "musky" of odor. Trace impurities can greatly influence the odor of this high-boiling material.”📖 Arctander | |
| Benzyl salicilate has a faint, sweet, floral odor and a sweet, currant-like taste.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Frequently used in flavor compositions. Characteristic of this mild-smelling material is that it has quite powerful taste (insolubility in water may be one of the reasons). It is used in mere traces in Apricot, Banana, Peach and Plum, as well as in the so-called "floral" flavors, where the sweet tas”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.161 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2151⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID1024598
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 228.247 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.176 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 314 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 20.786 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 151.783 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.607 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 186.458 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.597 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.554 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 9.26 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 24.077 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 47.152 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 147.368 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 46.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 64.395 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 25.528 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
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