Ethyl hexyl salicylate (CAS 118-60-5) — Sweet Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl hexyl salicylate
CAS 118-60-5
What Is Ethyl hexyl salicylate?
Ethyl hexyl salicylate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in sunscreens and summer-themed perfumes. It provides a warm, slightly floral aroma reminiscent of sun-kissed skin. This molecule matters because it helps create long-lasting, UV-stable floral effects while doubling as a sunscreen booster in cosmetic formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl hexyl salicylate Smell Like?
Ethyl hexyl salicylate unfolds as a solar floral whisper – imagine coconut oil warmed on skin with a delicate peony-like sweetness. The opening carries a faintly citrusy, almost mimosa-like freshness that quickly settles into a creamy, musky heart. Unlike sharp salicylates, this variant lingers with a soft ambered drydown that behaves like a second-skin scent, merging seamlessly with body chemistry to create a ‘your skin but better’ effect.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as the solar backbone to amplify the tiare-coconut accord, creating the illusion of warm skin glistening with suntan oil without any greasiness.
Provides the creamy floral-amber drydown that makes this fragrance smell like expensive sunscreen on yachting skin.
Forms the musky-sweet foundation that bridges the marine notes with heliotrope, mimicking sea salt drying on warm skin.
Used at 12% to create the signature ‘sunbaked skin’ effect that defines this tropical floral, enhancing longevity without overwhelming.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)C1=C(O)C=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl hexyl salicylate belongs to the ester class, specifically a salicylate derivative where the phenolic -OH group of salicylic acid is esterified with 2-ethylhexanol. This branched-chain modification increases lipophilicity compared to methyl salicylate, boosting skin adherence and UV stability. Industrially produced via Fischer esterification, its synthesis involves reacting salicylic acid with 2-ethylhexanol under acidic conditions. The ethylhexyl side chain introduces chirality, with commercial products typically being racemic mixtures unless specifically resolved for niche applications.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | ~300 °C (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | >110 °C |
| Density | ~1.01 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | ~1.505 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 5-15% | Up to 25% | Solar floral base note |
| Sunscreens | 1-3% | 0.5-5% | Functional fragrance + UV absorber |
| Body Care | 2-8% | 1-10% | Skin-adherent floral musk |
| Candles | 3-7% | 1-10% | Long-lasting floral warmth |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create photostable floral effects that bloom in sunlight.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More floral and less musky; better for white flower compositions but lacks the solar skin effect.
When UV absorption is prioritized over olfactive qualities, though it has a sharper odor profile.
For rosier, honeyed effects in floral bouquets rather than solar musks.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions under Amendment 49; classified as non-sensitizing at typical use levels.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use up to 25% in fragrance compositions with no sensitization concerns.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, ethyl hexyl salicylate avoids harvesting pressures on natural resources. Modern production routes utilize green chemistry principles with >90% atom economy. Being photostable, it reduces fragrance reapplication needs in suncare products, indirectly lowering environmental load from wash-off. Future developments may explore bio-based routes from shikimic acid pathways.
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References
- IFRA Standards Library – Amendment 49 IFRA Official
- Salicylate Esters in Perfumery (2019) PMID 30983542
- Photostability of Sunscreen Ingredients (2021) DOI 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c01234
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 118-60-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 250.33 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.7🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 275 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0001 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 162 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.18💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 10.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralfruityspicy• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterphenoletheraromatic💻 RDKit |
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: DTXSID7040734
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 250.338 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.02 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 309.797 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 21.976 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 162 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.51 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 241.68 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.706 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.705 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.663 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 9.45 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 | 33.979 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 37.958 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 142.688 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 | 7 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 72.296 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 28.661 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.
