Amyl salicylate: properties, uses, pros, cons, safety
Amyl Salicylate is an aromatic salicylate ester, derived from amyl alcohol and salicylic acid. It is used mainly as a fragrance ingredient in perfumery, cosmetics, detergency, and fragrance compositions. Its olfactory profile is generally floral, sweet, green, balsamic, herbaceous, and slightly fruity. In cosmetics, the CosIng sheet reports the functions skin conditioning and perfuming.
The main regulatory point is its inclusion in Annex III, entry 328, of the European Cosmetics Regulation, as a substance to be declared on the label when it exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. The chemical name in the restriction entry is Pentyl-2-hydroxy-benzoate.
Description
Amyl Salicylate belongs to the family of odorant salicylates, namely esters of salicylic acid used mainly to build floral, balsamic, green, or sweet notes in fragrances. It is related to other salicylates used in perfumery, such as Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Salicylate, and Methyl Salicylate, but it should not be confused with them: each molecule has its own identity, use, and regulation.
From a formulation standpoint, its role is mainly sensory. It can contribute to product fragrance, fragrance roundness, and the persistence of floral or balsamic notes. The skin conditioning function indicated by CosIng should be interpreted as a supporting cosmetic function, not as a curative dermatological activity.
An important point is the distinction between Amyl Salicylate and Isoamyl Salicylate. The former, in the attached CosIng sheet, is linked to Pentyl-2-hydroxy-benzoate; Isoamyl Salicylate is instead a distinct isomer/ingredient, often with different regulatory and flavouring references. In practice, to avoid errors, CAS, EC, isomeric composition, and supplier documentation must always be checked.
Production process
Industrially, Amyl Salicylate is obtained by esterification of salicylic acid with amyl alcohol / pentanol, followed by purification. The reaction forms the salicylate ester, while the subsequent steps remove residual salicylic acid, unreacted alcohol, catalysts, solvents, and by-products.
After synthesis, the usual controls include purity, acid value, odor, color, refractive index, density, process residues, isomers, and stability. For grades intended for perfumery and cosmetics, SDS, certificate of analysis, allergen declaration, and IFRA certificate are also essential.
In some commercial contexts, the name “amyl salicylate” may not always be used uniformly, sometimes close to mixtures or isomers. For this reason, in the cosmetic dossier, the decisive point is not only the commercial name, but the complete identification of the purchased material.
Main compounds present
In the pure grade, the main compound is Amyl Salicylate / Pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate. Commercial grades may contain small amounts of:
residual salicylic acid;
residual amyl alcohol / pentanol;
isomers or related amyl salicylates;
residual solvents;
minor aromatic impurities;
degradation or hydrolysis products.
The distinction between Amyl Salicylate, Isoamyl Salicylate, Pentyl Salicylate, and other salicylates must be handled carefully, especially when the material is intended for regulated products, complex fragrances, or formulas for sensitive skin.
Identification data and specifications
| Characteristic | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| INCI name | Amyl Salicylate | cosmetic designation |
| Annex III chemical name | Pentyl-2-hydroxy-benzoate | name reported in the restriction entry |
| Synonyms | Pentyl salicylate; Pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate; Salicylic acid, pentyl ester | technical synonyms |
| Chemical category | aromatic ester / salicylate | ester of salicylic acid |
| Molecular formula | C12H16O3 | compound formula |
| Molecular weight | about 208.25-208.26 g/mol | theoretical value |
| CAS | 2050-08-0 | reported in the attached CosIng sheet |
| EC | 218-080-2 | reported in the attached CosIng sheet |
| CosIng functions | skin conditioning; perfuming | from the CosIng sheet |
| EU restriction | Annex III, entry 328 | fragrance allergen to be declared above threshold |
| Leave-on threshold | 0.001% | mandatory label declaration above threshold |
| Rinse-off threshold | 0.01% | mandatory label declaration above threshold |
| Food use | flavouring-related / aromatic in specific contexts | non-nutritional; verify CAS and grade |
Indicative physicochemical properties
| Characteristic | Indicative value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | clear oily liquid | typical of liquid aromatic salicylates |
| Color | colorless or very pale yellow | may vary according to purity and storage |
| Odor | floral, sweet, green, balsamic, herbaceous | typical profile |
| Water solubility | very low | requires adequate solubilization |
| Alcohol solubility | good | useful in perfumery |
| Oil solubility | good | compatible with lipophilic phases |
| Boiling point | about 270 °C | indicative value reported by technical databases |
| Density | about 1.05-1.06 g/mL | indicative value |
| Refractive index | about 1.51 | indicative value |
| Log P | about 3.1 estimated | moderate-high lipophilicity |
| Stability | protect from heat, light, and extreme conditions | verify supplier SDS |
Food
In the food sector, Amyl Salicylate may appear as a substance related to the world of flavourings, but it has no nutritional value. The FDA lists it among food substances under the name AMYL SALICYLATE, CAS 2050-08-0, with synonyms such as Pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate and Salicylic acid, pentyl ester.
Food assessment must be particularly cautious because sources distinguish between Amyl Salicylate and Isoamyl Salicylate: the latter is reported by FEMA with FEMA No. 2084 and JECFA No. 903, but has a different CAS number (87-20-7). For this reason, in a technical report, it is not correct to automatically transfer FEMA/JECFA numbers for isoamyl salicylate to the material identified as Amyl Salicylate CAS 2050-08-0.
From a nutritional standpoint, the judgment is straightforward: aromatic use, not health-related use. If present in a food, it should be assessed as an aromatic or flavouring-related substance, with clearly documented food grade, purity, dosage, and chemical identity.
Cosmetics
In cosmetics, Amyl Salicylate is used mainly as a perfuming ingredient and, according to CosIng, also as skin conditioning. It may be present in perfumes, creams, lotions, cleansers, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, body products, hair products, and fragrance compositions where floral, green, sweet, balsamic, or herbaceous notes are desired.
The central regulatory point is Annex III, entry 328. Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 reports Amyl Salicylate / Pentyl-2-hydroxy-benzoate among substances to be indicated in the ingredient list when the concentration exceeds:
0.001% in leave-on products;
0.01% in rinse-off products.
This provision is not a ban, but a transparency obligation for sensitized consumers. The substance must therefore be managed as a fragrance allergen to be declared above threshold.
Pros
It has a floral, sweet, green, and balsamic olfactory profile, useful in perfumery.
It is suitable for building floral, herbaceous, cosmetic, and slightly fruity accords.
It can contribute to fragrance persistence and roundness.
It is effective at low concentrations as an odorant ingredient.
CosIng reports the functions perfuming and skin conditioning.
EU regulation is clear: above threshold, it must be declared on the label.
In well-designed formulas it can provide a pleasant and functional sensory contribution.
Cons
It is not a nutritional food ingredient: in food it has only a possible aromatic function.
In cosmetics it is a fragrance allergen to be declared above threshold.
It may be problematic for subjects sensitized to fragrances or odorant salicylates.
As a salicylic ester, it should also be assessed within the broader framework of cosmetic salicylates.
It is poorly soluble in water and requires adequate solubilization.
It may be confused with Isoamyl Salicylate, so CAS and composition must be checked precisely.
Quality depends on purity, isomers, residual salicylic acid, acid value, and stability.
Safety, regulatory aspects, and environment
From a cosmetic standpoint, Amyl Salicylate must be managed as a fragrance ingredient with allergological relevance. The European Cosmetics Regulation does not prohibit it, but requires its specific indication above the thresholds established in Annex III, entry 328.
SCCS documentation on fragrance allergens includes it among the established contact allergens in humans, with human evidence indicated in the SCCS table. This makes it important not to consider it simply a harmless fragrance note: in sensitized individuals, it may contribute to allergic contact reactions.
CIR, in its review of cosmetic salicylates, includes Amyl Salicylate among the salicylic acid esters added to the assessment and reports a general safety conclusion for the salicylates considered under the practices of use and concentration assessed, when formulated to be non-irritating. The same document reports cosmetic use data for Amyl Salicylate and use concentration values in some categories, confirming that the ingredient is used mainly at low concentrations in cosmetic products.
As a concentrated raw material, it may require caution for skin, eyes, and the environment, according to the supplier SDS. This does not automatically imply the same level of risk in the finished product, but it requires assessment of the complete formula, actual concentration, and product category.
For correct cosmetic use, it is advisable to request from the supplier:
updated SDS;
certificate of analysis;
allergen declaration;
IFRA certificate;
data on purity and isomers;
residual salicylic acid content;
acid value;
data on stability and storage;
actual concentration in the fragrance;
declaration of compliance with the EU Cosmetics Regulation;
verification of the finished-product concentration against Annex III thresholds.
From an environmental standpoint, Amyl Salicylate is an odorant and lipophilic organic substance, normally used at low concentrations. Its real profile depends on raw material origin, production process, biodegradability, amount used, product category, and environmental fate. In rinse-off products, release into wastewater should be considered; in leave-on products, the main issue remains skin exposure and allergen labeling.
Conclusion
Amyl Salicylate is an ingredient of mainly olfactory interest, useful for floral, green, sweet, herbaceous, and balsamic notes. In cosmetics it mainly performs a perfuming function and may also be reported as skin conditioning, but it should not be considered a dermatological active.
Professional assessment must focus on three points: correct identification of the substance, distinction from Isoamyl Salicylate, and compliance with Annex III, entry 328. Above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, it must be declared on the label as a fragrance allergen.
In a well-designed formula, with complete supplier documentation and controlled concentration, it can be a useful and functional ingredient. The points to control are purity, correct CAS, isomers, solubilization, SDS, COA, IFRA certificate, allergen declaration, concentration in the finished product, and compliance with Annex III of the European Cosmetics Regulation.
