Benzyl Alcohol

Today's Chemical:

Benzyl Alcohol (aka Phenylcarbinol)

EWG Risk Score:

7

What is it?

Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol used as a preservative, as the active ingredient in head lice treatment, and as a solvent.  It is most often created by combining benzyl chloride (a suspected carcinogen that has been used as a war gas) with sodium hydroxide (lye).  Sometimes it is created by reacting phenylmagnesium bromide (C₆H₅MgBr) with formaldehyde.

Why is it a risk?

Benzyl Alcohol can act as a skin sensitizer, and, according to a 1998 study can "can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin."  It is also a known neurotoxin. 

What Type of Products is it in?

Shampoos, Lotions, Baby Wipes, Perfumes, Facial Creams, Sunscreens

Companies/Brands That Use this Ingredient:

Lotrimin

Jason Naturals

Naturopathica

Lotus Moon

Aveeno

Neutrogena

Solbar

Steph's Opinion:

The term "aromatic" doesn't just mean that it's fragrant.  It's a chemical term meaning that on a molecular level, the compound contains a benzene ring.  Benzene is a highly toxic and carcinogenic compound, and depending on what it's combined with, can have many side effects.  In addition, it can break down and create aldehydes (like formaldehyde) in the presence of other chemicals.  Titanium Dioxide is one of those chemicals.  So you may be using a "mineral" makeup or sunscreen and feeling like you're safe--but if it contains benzyl alcohol, it could be offgassing formaldehyde or a related chemical.  Here's one example of a product that contains both chemicals and would have the possibility of formaldehyde offgassing.

Sources:
http://chemicalland21.com/industrialchem/solalc/BENZYL%20ALCOHOL.htm

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=700697

http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_220500.html

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TF5-4T4J845-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=947585626&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=a1a496a776cedffa15169ebdc2676d2d