Methyl Salicylate

Methyl Salicylate

AKA “Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, 119-36-8, Analgit, Flucarmit, Exagien, Betula, 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester, Gaultheriaoel, Wintergruenoel”

Ingredient

Ingredient Facts

Methyl salicylate

AKA: Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, 119-36-8, Analgit, Flucarmit, Exagien, Betula, 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester, Gaultheriaoel, Wintergruenoel

Ingredient · Soothing · EWG: 6

Synthetic

Soothing

Fragrance

Chemical Exfoliant

Not Clean

Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen or wintergreen oil) is an organic ester naturally produced by many species of plants, particularly wintergreens. The compound was first extracted and isolated from plant species Gaultheria procumbens in 1843. It can be manufactured synthetically and it used as a fragrance, in foods, beverages, and liniments. It forms a colorless to yellow or reddish liquid and exhibits a characteristic odor and taste of wintergreen. For acute joint and muscular pain, methyl salicylate is used as a rubefacient and analgesic in deep heating liniments. It is used as a flavoring agent in chewing gums and mints in small concentrations and added as antiseptic in mouthwash solutions.

Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 66 °F (NTP, 1992)

Formula

C8H8O3

Mol. Weight

152.15

CAS #

119-36-8

Form

Liquid

State

Methyl salicylate appears as colorless yellowish or reddish liquid with odor of wintergreen. (USCG, 1999)

See origin →

Functions

Denaturant

Flavouring

Oral Care

Perfuming

Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.

Soothing

Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation. Your skin's chill pill — great for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.

Soothes Skin

Traditional Use

Naturally occurs in wintergreen leaves and was traditionally used in folk medicine for pain relief and inflammation. Synthesized in the 19th century and adopted in skincare products for its mild exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties.