Common Name(s): Phenylcarbinol,benzenemethanol,alpha-hydroxytoluene

CAS Number: 100-51-6

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides dual fragrance and preservative activity as an aromatic alcohol.

Why It's Used: Multi-function ingredient serving as both fragrance component and preservative – reduces formulation complexity by providing both functions in one ingredient.

How It Works: Phenylcarbinol provides antimicrobial activity via membrane disruption (effective vs gram-positive bacteria and moulds). solvent for fragrances and difficult-to-dissolve actives. mild oxidative conversion to benzaldehyde provides sweet almond-like fragrance.

Typically Found In: Fragrances,preserved cosmetics,solvent systems

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Fragrance component / preservative

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.001%–1% (fragrance); up to 1% as preservative

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes - standard ethanol routes are non-animal; confirm denaturant origin

Halal Status: Conditional - ethanol production route and residual concentration; jurisdiction-dependent, refer to certifier stance

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: ethanol pathway; determination depends on route, on whether the plant also produces beverage alcohol, and on residual concentration. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Eu cosmetics regulation: declared fragrance allergen. also listed as approved preservative (annex v, max 1%). dual regulatory status (fragrance + preservative) depending on function and concentration.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Benzyl alcohol's dual regulatory status (fragrance allergen and approved preservative) creates a formulation paradox: it must be listed as a fragrance allergen if present >0.001% (leave-on) regardless of whether it was added for fragrance or preservation. this regulatory dual identity means a preservative added for antimicrobial function triggers the same allergen declaration requirement as a fragrance added for scent.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,ifra standards,eu preservative annex v