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Benzyl Benzoate

Q: Is Benzyl Benzoate natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Produced synthetically by esterification of benzyl alcohol with benzoic acid, or by Tishchenko reaction of benzaldehyde. Also obtainable from natural sources (Peru balsam contains approximately 60-70% benzyl benzoate), but commercial quantities are synthetic. Production is large-scale and inexpensive..

AROMA CHEMICALS / balsamic · sweet · faint

Benzyl Benzoate

Category	AROMA CHEMICALS
Subcategory	balsamic · sweet · faint
Origin
Volatility	Base Note
Botanical	N/A — synthetic/semi-synthetic compound
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow oily liquid
Odor Strength	Low
Producing Countries	China, India, Germany, United States
Pyramid	Base

Almost odorless at ambient temperature — a faint, balsamic-sweet whisper. Benzyl benzoate is a perfumer's invisible tool: a fixative and solvent that extends other materials without announcing itself.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Extremely faint at ambient temperature. With concentrated smelling, a mild, balsamic-sweet quality — slightly almond-like, faintly vanillic. Less detectable than most perfumery materials. On blotter, it is nearly scentless after minutes. Its role is functional, not olfactory — it is the perfumer's equivalent of a clear lacquer.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Nearly imperceptible. Faint balsamic-sweet whisper if concentrated.

After a few hours

Essentially odorless. Functions as a background fixative.

After a few days

No perceptible scent evolution. Extended presence as a performance enhancer.

The Full Story

CAS 120-51-4. An ester of benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid. Found naturally in Peru balsam, tolu balsam, and various flowers. Benzyl benzoate is a common 'non-odorant' materials in perfumery — it has a very faint, slightly balsamic-sweet scent that is almost imperceptible at normal concentrations.

Its primary value is functional rather than olfactory. As a fixative, it slows the evaporation of more volatile materials, extending the life of compositions. As a solvent, it dissolves resinoids and crystalline materials (like vanillin, coumarin, and musk ketone) that are difficult to incorporate in alcohol bases. It also improves the substantivity of fragrances on skin and fabric.

The molecule is also used pharmaceutically as an antiparasitic agent (for scabies and lice), and in the plastics industry as a plasticizer. Its near-odorlessness makes it uniquely valuable in formulation — it modifies performance without altering the intended scent profile.

This note in Première Peau. Albâtre Sépia · Simili Mirage. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Amberwood · Andiroba · Bakhoor · Balsamic Notes · Benzoin Resinoid · Benzyl Salicylate · Birch Tar · Blue Amber

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Benzyl benzoate is one of the few perfumery chemicals that is also on the WHO's List of Essential Medicines — it is a frontline treatment for scabies in developing countries, applied topically as a 25% emulsion.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Produced synthetically by esterification of benzyl alcohol with benzoic acid, or by Tishchenko reaction of benzaldehyde. Also obtainable from natural sources (Peru balsam contains approximately 60-70% benzyl benzoate), but commercial quantities are synthetic. Production is large-scale and inexpensive.

Molecular Formula	C14H12O2
CAS Number	120-51-4
Botanical Name	N/A — synthetic/semi-synthetic compound
IFRA Status	Restricted — IFRA-listed allergen. Declaration required above 0.001% in leave-on products (EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex III).
Synonyms	BENZOIC ACID BENZYL ESTER · ASCABIN · ASCABIOL
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Low
Lasting Power	322 hours at 100%
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow oily liquid
Boiling Point	323.00 to 324.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	316.00 °F. TCC ( 158.00 °C. )
Specific Gravity	1.11600 to 1.12000 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.56600 to 1.57000 @ 20.00 °C.
Melting Point	18.00 to 21.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg

In Perfumery

Fixative, solvent, and performance enhancer. Benzyl benzoate extends the longevity of compositions by slowing the evaporation of volatile top and heart notes. It dissolves resinoids, concretes, and crystalline aroma chemicals that resist alcohol. It improves skin substantivity — the ability of a fragrance to cling to skin. Found in virtually every perfumery formula at 1-15%. Despite its near-odorlessness, it subtly smooths compositions and adds a barely-there balsamic warmth to bases. It is one of the 26 EU-listed allergens and must be declared on product labels above certain thresholds.