Ingredient decoder

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

INCI name: Benzyl Salicylate

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
  • UV absorber

Benzyl salicylate in plain English

Benzyl salicylate is a soft, floral scent compound used to round out fragrances and help them last. Despite the name it is not an exfoliant and does not work like salicylic acid on pores. 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 salicylate bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Benzyl salicylate 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 Salicylate
  • Benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate

Related ingredients

Browse all ingredients A to Z

Frequently asked questions

Is benzyl salicylate comedogenic?

Benzyl salicylate 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 salicylate do in skincare?

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

What else is benzyl salicylate called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, benzyl salicylate can also appear as Benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate.

Sources