Benzyl Alcohol (Booster)

Description

In cosmetic industry, it is used in low concentration as preservative. It can be used as it is or added into preservative blend to use it as a booster. It is commonly seen in natural products.

Benzyl Alcohol is typically used in concentrations ranging from 0,4-1,0%. It will tolerate hot processes such as emulsion preparation and is stable in the presence of acids and alkalis. Increasing the temperature to about 40°C can help to speed up dissolution of Benzyl Alcohol but prolonged heating should be avoided to prevent losses by evaporation. Because of its solvent properties, it can also be used to dissolve other ingredients with poor water solubility. It is also compatible with most surfactant types and most other preservative actives, making it an extremely versatile ingredient for personal care applications.

Good to know!

It is inactivated by strong nonionics. It shows poor activity above pH of 7. It will slowly oxidise with UV light to benzoic acid and benzaldehyde. Optimum pH is 5-6. Users of benzyl alcohol should always have an antioxidant in the formulation. Benzyl alcohol is good to be incorporated in formulation at temperature below 60 Celcius. Product formulated with Benzyl Alcohol has a aromatic base odour.

Benzyl Alcohol may be used in a wide range of products including:

 Shampoos

 Hair conditioners

 Styling gels

 Liquid soaps

 Bath gels

 Moisturising creams

 Body creams and milks

 Mascara

 Suntan lotions

 Eyeliners

 Lipsticks