What Is Benzyl Benzoate Ph?
Benzyl Benzoate Ph is an aroma chemical belonging to the ester family that serves as both a fragrance ingredient and a functional solvent in perfumery. The material sold under this name is supplied by Symrise, a well established German fragrance house, though other suppliers sell equivalent grades simply labelled Benzyl Benzoate.
The molecule is produced by reacting benzyl alcohol with benzoic acid in a controlled esterification process. The result is a clear colorless liquid with a slightly oily feel that stays fluid at normal room temperatures. Thanks to its high purity it carries very little visible tint even after long storage.
Perfumers prize the ingredient for its versatility. It dissolves many hard to handle raw materials which makes it useful in blends for fine fragrance, personal care, home care and even candle making. Because the chemistry is straightforward and the raw materials are common, the cost tends to be on the lower side compared with more exotic naturals or specialty aroma molecules.
Benzyl Benzoate Ph is relatively stable. When kept closed and stored well it normally keeps its quality for two to three years before any noticeable drop in performance. Large fragrance houses often hold it in bulk because it stays fresh for long periods and covers such a wide range of formula needs.
Benzyl Benzoate Ph’s Scent Description
Perfumers place this ingredient in the floral family. Smelled from a blotter it gives a smooth sweet floral note that immediately recalls ylang ylang mixed with a gentle balsamic warmth. Under the first impression you may pick up hints of creamy spice and a faint honeylike facet that rounds off the profile.
In the classic top middle base framework Benzyl Benzoate Ph acts mainly as a base note. Its high boiling point makes it slow to evaporate so the scent comes through most clearly once lighter materials have faded. It does not shout in a blend but provides depth, soft diffusion and a lingering floral glow that anchors brighter notes above it.
Projection is moderate. It will not jump off the skin in the way citrus or aldehydes can but it fills the personal space with a soft halo when used at higher levels. Longevity is impressive; traces can be detected on a blotter for days which makes it a trusted fixative as well as a character material.
How & Where To Use Benzyl Benzoate Ph
Perfumers reach for Benzyl Benzoate Ph when they need a smooth floral backdrop that quietly extends the life of brighter notes. It excels in white floral accords where it bridges heady materials like ylang ylang, jasmine absolute and salicylates, adding body without stealing the spotlight. A few drops can also round off spicy oriental bases or soften the edges of aldehydic blends.
The ingredient shines as a fixative. Its high boiling point slows the evaporation of lighter molecules, so adding 1 – 3% to a citrus top or a green heart can noticeably improve lasting power. In musk or sandalwood bases it helps glue disparate elements together, giving the whole accord a polished feel.
Concentration matters. In trace amounts below 0.5% the scent is barely perceptible yet still provides a binding effect. Between 1% and 5% the floral ylang nuance becomes audible and adds creamy warmth. Push it past 10% and the material starts to dominate, bringing a dense oily sweetness that can flatten delicate structures. At very high levels above 20% the perfume may feel heavy, waxy and slow to lift.
Benzyl Benzoate Ph performs well in almost every format, from alcohol based fine fragrance to surfactant systems like shampoo and liquid soap. It tolerates the heat of candle pouring and keeps good stability in detergents and softeners. The main limitation is that its mild odor may not cut through strongly fragranced cleaning bases unless supported by brighter materials.
Before weighing, pre-dilute to 10% in ethanol or dipropylene glycol to make pipetting easier and to fine-tune small adjustments. Because the liquid is rather viscous at cool room temperature, warming the closed bottle in a hand bath of 30 °C water helps it pour smoothly. Always label the dilution clearly so you know both the strength and the solvent used.
Avoid over-use. Excess Benzyl Benzoate Ph can mute the sparkle of top notes, introduce an unwanted oily film on skin feel and increase the total allergen load of the formula. Build the level gradually, smell on a blotter after each addition and stop as soon as the blend gains the desired depth.
Safely Information
Working with Benzyl Benzoate Ph is straightforward but certain precautions and considerations should always be observed.
- Always dilute before smelling: create at least a 10% solution in a suitable solvent before evaluating on a blotter to avoid overwhelming the nose
- Never smell directly from the bottle: undiluted vapors can lead to sensory fatigue and potential irritation
- Work in a well ventilated area: good airflow minimizes inhalation of concentrated fumes during weighing and blending
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: contact with undiluted material may cause skin or eye irritation so physical barriers are essential
- Health considerations: some people experience sensitization or allergic reactions with repeated exposure, brief low-level contact is generally safe but prolonged or high concentration exposure can be harmful, consult a doctor before handling if pregnant or breastfeeding
Always consult the latest safety data sheet supplied by your vendor and review it regularly as updates can occur. Follow any applicable IFRA guidelines on maximum usage levels to ensure your finished product is both compliant and safe for consumers.
How To Store & Dispose of Benzyl Benzoate Ph
Benzyl Benzoate Ph keeps its quality best when protected from heat light and air. Most users simply park the bottle in a cabinet that stays below 25 °C. If you have spare room in the fridge you can place it there to slow any gradual oxidation, just let the bottle warm to room temperature before opening to prevent moisture from condensing inside.
Choose containers that seal tight. Polycone caps hug the neck of the bottle and block air far better than standard droppers so use them for both the neat material and any dilutions. Glass or high grade PET works fine but stainless steel is also acceptable for bulk storage. Whatever you pick always fill the bottle as close to the top as practical since a smaller headspace means less oxygen and slower color change.
Avoid clear glass on a sunny shelf. Ultraviolet light can kick-start degradation that dulls the scent and darkens the liquid. Dark amber or opaque containers reduce this risk and make accidental exposure to light less likely.
Label everything the moment you decant. Include the full name Benzyl Benzoate Ph, the concentration of any dilution, the solvent used and at least one safety phrase such as “May cause skin irritation.” Clear labels prevent mix-ups and remind anyone handling the bottle to take proper care.
Disposal is straightforward because the material is readily biodegradable. A hobbyist with a few millilitres left can wipe the residue with a paper towel, seal it in household trash and rinse the bottle with plenty of warm soapy water before recycling. Larger volumes should go through a local chemical collection point or a licensed waste contractor who will direct the liquid to industrial treatment that meets municipal rules. Never pour big quantities straight into a drain as it can overload small septic systems.
Summary
Benzyl Benzoate Ph is a highly pure ester from Symrise that wears two hats in perfumery, a soft ylang ylang like floral note and a dependable fixative solvent. The scent sits in the base, offering creamy warmth and gentle sweetness that helps lighter notes linger without stealing focus.
Low cost, wide compatibility and long shelf life explain why you will find it in countless fine fragrance formulas as well as shampoos, soaps, detergents and candles. It behaves well in most conditions though too much can weigh down a blend so measure with care.
Stability is good for at least two years when stored cool and dark. The material stays colorless and clear yet keeping bottles full and tightly capped further slows oxidation. With a flash point above 100 °C it is safe to ship and handle under normal cosmetic lab rules.
Commercial houses can buy Benzyl Benzoate Ph in drums directly from Symrise or other bulk suppliers. Hobbyists and small brands will find smaller bottles from specialist aroma shops and generic chemical distributors who often stock food and cosmetic grade versions.