Benzyl Alcohol

Benzyl Alcohol, also known as benzene methanol or phenylcarbinol, is an aromatic alcohol used in formulations for multiple purposes such as a fragrance component, preservative, solvent, stabiliser, and viscosity-decreasing agent.

It is derived from tea, fruit (such as peaches, apricots, and cranberries), and essential oils (such as jasmine, hyacinth, and ylang-ylang). It is a colourless liquid with a slightly sweet scent, and may be commonly spotted on the label of skincare, cosmetic, and personal care products. Benzyl Alcohol reacts with triethyl phosphite and zinc iodide to form a solvent, which helps increase the efficacy of active ingredients in skincare products by enhancing their absorption through the skin.