Ingredient Dictionary

METHYL BENZOATE

Methyl benzoate is a benzoate ester obtained by condensation of benzoic acid and methanol.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 3 list it before the 1% line and 12 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 15 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 15

Definition

Methyl benzoate is a benzoate ester obtained by condensation of benzoic acid and methanol. It has a role as an insect attractant and a metabolite. It is a methyl ester and a benzoate ester.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 6618K1VJ9T · registered name Methyl Benzoate · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Methyl Benzoate is the ester of methyl alcohol and benzoic acid that conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

Stops microbes growing in the productPRESERVATIVEMakes skin soft and smoothSKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENTListed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCEBase that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENT

Safety & regulatory references

Restricted: China · Japan · South Korea

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Argentina · Brazil

Maximum concentration permitted at final product : 0.5% (expressed as acid)

ASEAN

Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : 0.5 % (acid)

Taiwan

0.5%

European Union

Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : 0.5% (acid)

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Restriction V/1a

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Safety Assessment of Alkyl Benzoates as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name 安息香酸メチル: 本品は、安息香酸（＊）のメチルエステルであり、次の化学式で表される。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

METHYL BENZOATEINCI메틸벤조에이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)Benzoic acid, methyl esterSynonym安息香酸メチルJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 93-58-3
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 202-259-7
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID5025572
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID405572

IUPAC: Methyl benzoate
Molecular formula: C8H8O2
Molecular weight: 136.15 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Methyl benzoate appears as a crystalline solid or a solid dissolved in a liquid. Denser than water. Contact may slightly irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be slightly toxic by ingestion. Used to make other chemicals. · Liquid
Odour: Fragrant odor · FRUITY ODOR, ALSO SIMILAR TO CANANGA
Boiling point: 388 to 390 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 199 °C
Melting point: 10 °F (NTP, 1992) · -12.35 °C
Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 72.5 °F (NTP, 1992) · In water, 2100 mg/L at 20 °C
Density: 1.0888 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.0837 g/cu cm at 25 °C
Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Viscosity: 1.33 mm²/s at 20 °C · 1.94 cP (@ 23 ℃)
Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: -12 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 198 ℃
Flash point: 83 ℃(c.c.)
Flammability (solid, gas): combustible
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 20 / 8.6 %
Vapour pressure: 133 ㎩ (at 39℃)
Water solubility: 2100 ㎎/ℓ (at 20℃)
Vapour density: 4.7
Relative density: 1.09
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 2.12
Auto-ignition temperature: 542 ℃
Molecular weight: 136.1

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 63 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Fragrance51
Flavouring and nutrient2
Preservative2
Processing aids not otherwise specified1
Biocide1
Monomers1
Softener and conditioner1
No specific technical function1

3 other uses

Solvent1
Deodorizer1
Intermediate1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

5 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low3

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 8 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay)
Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Not classified
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to