Ingredient glossary
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
On your shelf ✓What C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
In short: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate delivers softening and texture refinement, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong.
- What it does
- Softening, texture refinement
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Strong
- How long
- Straight away
how it was measured
Measured on Surface smoothness and dry slip on application, from a light ester emollient film; on contact, by mechanism.
What it actually is
The Glow take
A comfort ingredient, and none the worse for it.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is here for feel and moisture, softening the skin and slowing water loss. More comfort than correction.
— Maya
What it does
- softening
- texture refinement
strong evidenceConsidered a workhorse emollient in sunscreens and lotions, with low irritation and comedogenicity and excellent sensorial properties.
Why we say this
- CIR safety review Safety Assessment of Alkyl Benzoates as Used in Cosmetics 2012
On a label: usually effective at 3-15%.
The ester family, at a glance
21 ester entries in the base, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate among them. 13 of the 21 are an emollient.
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Cetearyl Isononanoate
- Cetearyl Olivate
- Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
- Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
- Dibutyl Adipate
- Ethyl Macadamiate
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
- Isononyl Isononanoate
- Isopropyl Myristate
- Isopropyl Palmitate
- Myristyl Myristate
- PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
- Pentaerythrityl Ester
- Sorbitan Isostearate
- Sorbitan Olivate
- Triacetin
- Triethyl Citrate
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- oily
- combo
- normal
Approach with care
- very sensitive if fragrance allergy
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive (if you have a fragrance allergy).
Where it fits in your routine
This one works on contact — there is nothing to wait for.
What that covers, and what it does not
- Measured on: Surface smoothness and dry slip on application, from a light ester emollient film.
- An ester of benzoic acid with C12-15 alcohols, used at 3-15%; the dry, silky slip is a spreading and surface-roughness effect present on contact.
- Its other main function -- solubilising organic UV filters -- is an in-bottle job with no skin timeline of its own, and solubilising a filter does not add a skin outcome.
- No trial reports a durable skin change attributable to this emollient.
No efficacy-timing trial identified. Ingredient physical chemistry; CIR safety assessment of alkyl benzoates addresses safety only.
Plays well with
- silicones
- uv filters
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, answered
Is C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate safe during pregnancy?
Yes. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate?
Approach C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive (if you have a fragrance allergy).
What concentration of C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate actually works?
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate tends to do its job in the 3 to 15% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.
Sources & how we reviewed this
- CIR safety review Safety Assessment of Alkyl Benzoates as Used in Cosmetics 2012summary page only, the document itself was not read
What changed on this page
- : whether it feeds Malassezia
- : what the EU regulates
- : sources