Ingredient decoder

Benzyl cinnamate: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Benzyl Cinnamate

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Scent ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people.

  • Perfuming

Benzyl cinnamate in plain English

Benzyl cinnamate is a sweet, balsamic scent compound found in Peru and tolu balsams, used in fragrances as a scent and fixative. It is one of the scent components that must be named on EU labels above set levels because it can trigger allergic reactions in some people. For acne-prone skin it does not clog pores, but irritation and redness can make breakouts look and feel worse, so sensitive skin may do better without it.

Is benzyl cinnamate bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Benzyl cinnamate is not a proven pore-clogger, but scent ingredients like this can irritate sensitive skin, and irritated skin can make breakouts look and feel worse. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Benzyl Cinnamate
  • Benzyl 3-phenylpropenoate

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Frequently asked questions

Is benzyl cinnamate comedogenic?

Benzyl cinnamate has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does benzyl cinnamate do in skincare?

In short: scent ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people. In formulas it is used for perfuming.

What else is benzyl cinnamate called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, benzyl cinnamate can also appear as Benzyl 3-phenylpropenoate.

Sources