Product Overview
EZ Elements’ Benzyl Alcohol is a high-purity aromatic alcohol, chemically known as phenylmethanol, supplied as a clear, colorless to very slightly yellow liquid with a faint, mild, sweet, and almond-like odor. It occurs naturally in a number of essential oils, including jasmine, ylang-ylang, hyacinth, and styrax, and can also be produced synthetically to achieve consistent, high-purity material suitable for fragrance, personal care, and pharmaceutical formulation.
In fragrance formulation, Benzyl Alcohol plays a dual role that sets it apart from most other ingredients in a perfumer’s kit: it contributes a soft, slightly sweet floral facet of its own, and it works as a true functional ingredient, acting as a solvent that helps dissolve resins, absolutes, and aroma chemicals into a homogeneous, stable concentrate, and as a mild fixative that slows the evaporation of more volatile top and heart notes, extending how long a fragrance lasts on skin or fabric.
Beyond fragrance, EZ Elements’ Benzyl Alcohol is widely used as a preservative and solvent across personal care, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical formulations, where its mild antimicrobial activity and broad ingredient compatibility make it a dependable multi-purpose ingredient. Suitable for both small-batch and large-scale production, it offers the consistency and documentation that perfumers, cosmetic manufacturers, and pharmaceutical formulators across Canada rely on.
Product Benefits and Features
- High-purity aromatic alcohol (phenylmethanol) suitable for fragrance, personal care, and pharmaceutical formulation
- Functions simultaneously as a fragrance ingredient, solvent, and mild fixative in perfume composition
- Effectively dissolves resins, absolutes, essential oils, and aroma chemicals into a clear, stable concentrate
- Slows the evaporation of top and heart notes, helping extend fragrance longevity on skin and fabric
- Contributes a soft, sweet, slightly floral facet that blends well in jasmine, gardenia, lilac, and rose compositions
- Functions as a mild preservative and antimicrobial agent in personal care and cosmetic formulations
- Naturally occurring in jasmine, ylang-ylang, and other botanicals, supporting natural-origin formulation claims when sourced accordingly
- Suitable for perfumes, colognes, soaps, lotions, and a wide range of personal care and pharmaceutical applications
- Ideal for both small-batch and commercial production
Why Perfumers and Formulators Reach for Benzyl Alcohol
Most fragrance ingredients are chosen purely for how they smell. Benzyl Alcohol is unusual because perfumers reach for it as much for what it does as for how it smells. Its scent contribution on its own is genuinely subtle, often described as faint, slightly sweet, and almond-like, which is exactly why historic perfumery references describe it as somewhat dispensable in terms of scent alone, even as it has remained a consistent presence across decades of perfumery, including in early Chanel No. 5-era formulations where benzyl-derived materials were used to soften aldehydes and round out floral heart notes. The real reason it persists in modern formulation is functional: it is one of the most effective, broadly compatible solvents available for dissolving other fragrance materials, and its moderate volatility gives it genuine, measurable fixative behavior, helping a fragrance unfold and last rather than flashing off the skin within minutes.
Who Uses This Product and Why
Benzyl Alcohol’s combination of fragrance, solvent, and preservative functions means it shows up across a notably wide range of industries.
- Fine fragrance, cologne, and eau de parfum formulation, where it acts as a solvent for absolutes and resins and a fixative for top and heart notes
- Soap and detergent fragrance, where it helps blend fragrance oils evenly throughout the base
- Lotions, creams, and skin care formulations, where it functions as both a fragrance ingredient and a mild preservative supporting product shelf life
- Baby products and bath products, where its mild antimicrobial properties and broad regulatory acceptance support sensitive-formulation use within approved concentration limits
- Hair, nail, and color cosmetic products, including eye makeup and brushes, where it serves as a solvent and preservative component
- Injectable and topical pharmaceutical formulations, where it is used as a solvent and as a preservative in multi-dose vials and preparations
- Topical dermatological treatments, including certain head lice treatments, where concentrated Benzyl Alcohol has recognized therapeutic application
- Food-safe and general cleaning solution formulations, where its antimicrobial properties and broad chemical compatibility are valued
- Industrial and specialty coatings manufacturing, leveraging its solvent properties across a broad range of chemical systems
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
| Chemical Name | Benzyl Alcohol (Phenylmethanol) |
| CAS No. | 100-51-6 |
| Chemical Formula | C6H5CH2OH |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless to very slightly yellow liquid |
| Oduor | Faint, mild, slightly sweet, almond-like; varies with purity and age |
| Solubility | Partially soluble in water (approximately 4 g per 100 mL); fully miscible with alcohols, ethers, and oils |
| Boiling Point | Approximately 205 to 207 degrees C |
| Volatility | Medium; functions as a moderate fixative in fragrance compositions |
| Natural Occurrence | Found in jasmine, ylang-ylang, hyacinth, styrax, and certain fruits and teas |
| Function in Formulation | Fragrance ingredient, solvent, fixative, mild preservative |
| Regulatory Status (Canada) | Permitted in cosmetics, natural health products, and as a food additive, subject to maximum concentration limits per Health Canada guidance |
Why Choose EZ Elements as Your Supplier
EZ Elementsv supplies high-purity Benzyl Alcohol with consistent quality, verified specifications, and complete documentation to support fragrance houses, cosmetic manufacturers, and pharmaceutical formulators across Canada.
- Full documentation including Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Consistent, high-purity material suited to both fragrance-grade and broader personal care and pharmaceutical formulation needs
- Bulk supply with transparent, competitive pricing across all available pack sizes
- Technical support on fixative ratios, solvency applications, preservative use levels, and formulation compatibility
Safety & Storage Guidelines
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat; exposure to air and light over time can cause the material to develop a benzaldehyde note and should be discarded if this occurs.
- Keep containers tightly sealed between uses to maintain freshness and prevent oxidation.
- Benzyl Alcohol can act as a skin sensitizer for some individuals at higher concentrations; always use within recommended formulation limits for the intended application.
- For cosmetic and personal care applications in Canada, follow Health Canada’s published maximum concentration guidance for the relevant product category.
- Wear appropriate protective equipment when handling in bulk, and ensure adequate ventilation in production areas.
Complete handling, first aid, and disposal instructions are provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from EZ Elements upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Benzyl Alcohol?
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol commonly used in fragrance, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical formulations. It functions as a solvent, mild preservative, and fragrance fixative while also contributing a subtle sweet, floral aroma. It occurs naturally in several essential oils but is also produced synthetically to provide consistent quality for commercial applications.
2. What is Benzyl Alcohol used for?
Benzyl Alcohol has several functions in formulation. In perfumes, it helps dissolve fragrance ingredients and improves fragrance longevity. In cosmetics, it can act as a preservative and solvent, while pharmaceutical manufacturers use it in selected topical and injectable products. Its versatility makes it a valuable ingredient across multiple industries.
3. What does Benzyl Alcohol do in perfume?
In perfume formulations, Benzyl Alcohol acts as both a solvent and a fixative. It helps dissolve fragrance materials such as resins, absolutes, and aroma chemicals into a stable blend while slowing the evaporation of more volatile fragrance notes. This allows the fragrance to develop more gradually and remain noticeable for a longer period after application.
4. Is Benzyl Alcohol a preservative?
Yes. Benzyl Alcohol is commonly used as a mild preservative in cosmetics and personal care products because of its antimicrobial properties. While it may not always serve as the primary preservative system, it helps protect formulations from microbial growth when used within recommended concentration limits.
5. Is Benzyl Alcohol a fixative?
Yes. Benzyl Alcohol functions as a moderate fragrance fixative by reducing the evaporation rate of lighter fragrance notes. This helps improve fragrance longevity and allows the perfume to unfold more gradually over time. It is often combined with other fragrance ingredients to create a balanced scent profile.
6. Benzyl Alcohol vs Perfumer’s Alcohol
Although both ingredients are used in perfume making, they serve different purposes. Perfumer’s Alcohol is the primary carrier that makes up most of the finished perfume, while Benzyl Alcohol is added in much smaller amounts as a solvent, mild preservative, and fixative. Together, they help create stable, long-lasting fragrance formulations.
7. Is Benzyl Alcohol safe in cosmetics?
Benzyl Alcohol is widely approved for cosmetic use when used within established regulatory limits. It is commonly found in perfumes, lotions, creams, shampoos, and other personal care products. Some individuals with sensitive skin may experience irritation, so formulators should always follow recommended usage levels and applicable cosmetic regulations.
8. Does Benzyl Alcohol make perfume last longer?
Yes. Benzyl Alcohol can help improve fragrance longevity by slowing the evaporation of lighter fragrance components. While it is not the only ingredient responsible for perfume performance, its fixative properties support a more gradual fragrance release and contribute to a longer-lasting scent on skin or fabric.
Related Ingredients
The following EZ Elements ingredient is commonly used alongside Benzyl Alcohol in fragrance formulation:
- Perfumer’s Alcohol, the high-purity SDA 40-B ethanol carrier that forms the bulk solvent base of most perfumes, colognes, and mists, into which Benzyl Alcohol is blended for its solvency and fixative function.
Order or Enquire
Looking to buy Benzyl Alcohol in bulk? Contact EZ Elements for current pricing, full product documentation, and supply options for your fragrance, personal care, and pharmaceutical formulations. We supply fragrance brands, cosmetic manufacturers, and pharmaceutical formulators across Canada. Reach out today to request a sample, Technical Data Sheet, or a bulk pricing quote for your next formulation project.
