Propyl Benzoate
AKA “Benzoic acid, propyl ester, n-Propyl benzoate, Propyl benzenecarboxylate, Benzoic acid n-propyl ester, Benzoate de propyle, FEMA No. 2931, UNII-VWK210B7WS, VWK210B7WS, DTXSID4044878”
Preservative
Ingredient Facts
Propyl benzoate
AKA: Benzoic acid, Propyl ester, N-Propyl benzoate, Propyl benzenecarboxylate, Benzoic acid n-propyl ester, Benzoate de propyle, FEMA No. 2931, UNII-VWK210B7WS, VWK210B7WS, DTXSID4044878
Preservative · Preservative · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
Propyl benzoate is a benzoate ester obtained by condensation of benzoic acid and propanol. It has a balsamic odor reminescent of nuts with a sweet, fruity, nut-like taste. It has a role as a flavouring agent, an antimicrobial food preservative and a plant metabolite.
Solubility 0.351 mg/mL at 25 °C
Formula
C10H12O2
Mol. Weight
164.20
CAS #
2315-68-6
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Prevents microbial growth
Provides scent
Traditional Use
Synthesized in the late 19th century as a benzoate ester. Adopted by the cosmetics industry in the mid-20th century as a preservative and fragrance ingredient, designed to provide antimicrobial benefits similar to natural benzoic acid found in some botanical extracts.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.5%
0%1%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.5%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 1a.
Regulatory Agencies
Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid rescues multisystemic disease and perinatal lethality in a mouse model of mitochondrial disease.
Corral-Sarasa J, Martínez-Gálvez JM, González-García P, Wendling O, Jiménez-Sánchez L et al.
Cell reports, 2024
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isopropyl Benzoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isopropyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Propyl Benzoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Benzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isopropyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR