METHYL BENZOATE
Methyl benzoate is an ester made from benzoic acid and methanol. Its structure joins an aromatic portion to a small methyl group, a feature that helps account for its odour and for its use among ingredients intended to scent cosmetic products.
METHYL BENZOATE: what it is
Methyl benzoate is an ester made from benzoic acid and methanol. Its structure joins an aromatic portion to a small methyl group, a feature that helps account for its odour and for its use among ingredients intended to scent cosmetic products.
It can be produced by chemical synthesis and belongs to the benzoic acid ester group. It is not the same substance as benzyl benzoate: methyl benzoate is formed with methanol, whereas benzyl benzoate is formed with benzyl alcohol. The similar names therefore refer to distinct molecules, even though both are related to benzoic acid.
METHYL BENZOATE: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, methyl benzoate can contribute to the product's scent. It can also work as a solvent, helping other substances disperse, and as an emollient, making the skin surface feel smoother and softer to the touch.
When it is used for preservation, the intended target is the product itself: the purpose is to help prevent spoilage caused by microorganisms, which matters particularly in preparations containing water. That is not the same as treating microorganisms on skin, and it does not make the ingredient a treatment for acne, irritation, or disease.
Restrictions and conditions of use
Products containing this ingredient
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