BENZYL ALCOHOL
BENZYL ALCOHOL is identified as a fragrance allergen subject to mandatory label declaration under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Regulatory status as of 2026-08-28 (per the CosIng database).
About the ingredient
Benzyl alcohol
EU regulatory status
Annex of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: III/45 and
Source: the European Commission's official CosIng database and Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products. How we assess ingredients — full methodology.
- View the entry in the CosIng database (European Commission)
- Open Regulation 1223/2009 in EUR-Lex
- Check the chemical profile in PubChem
Last updated:
Functions in cosmetics
Frequently asked questions
Is BENZYL ALCOHOL safe in cosmetics?
BENZYL ALCOHOL is one of the 26 EU fragrance allergens whose presence must be declared on the label when its concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products.
In which annex of Regulation 1223/2009 is BENZYL ALCOHOL listed?
BENZYL ALCOHOL is listed under reference III/45 and in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. The first part (Roman numeral) indicates the annex: II – prohibited substances, III – substances restricted by conditions, IV – permitted colorants, V – permitted preservatives, VI – permitted UV filters.
What functions does BENZYL ALCOHOL perform in cosmetics?
According to the European Commission's CosIng database, BENZYL ALCOHOL performs the following functions in cosmetics: PERFUMING, PRESERVATIVE, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING. Functions are defined in the CosIng glossary and describe the technological role of a substance in the finished product.
Are there Safety Gate alerts concerning BENZYL ALCOHOL?
We found 5 recent alerts in the EU Safety Gate database in which BENZYL ALCOHOL appears in the risk description or on the ingredient list of a recalled cosmetic. The full list and details of each alert are below in the Safety Gate alerts section.
Safety Gate alerts mentioning this ingredient
We found 5 recent EU Safety Gate alerts that mention BENZYL ALCOHOL in the hazard description or ingredient list.