Benzyl alcohol

On this page

• About benzyl alcohol
• Safety of benzyl alcohol
• What we're doing
• What you can do

About benzyl alcohol

Benzyl alcohol is a chemical that occurs naturally and in synthetic form. In its synthetic form, it's found in a wide range of products available to consumers, including:

• vaping products
• cosmetics, such as:
  • hair styling products
  • face and body creams
  • hair bleach and colour
  • eye and face cleansers
  • deodorants and antiperspirants
• household products, such as:
  • air fresheners
  • cleaning wipes
  • all-purpose cleaners
• automotive products, such as:
  • fuel
  • car air fresheners
• natural health products, such as:
  • lip balm
  • sunscreen
  • arthritis cream
• home improvement products, such as:
  • epoxy glues
  • aerosol paints
  • wax/finish coating removers
• prescription and non-prescription drugs

Benzyl alcohol occurs naturally in foods and is a permitted food additive.

This substance is also known as benzenemethanol.

Safety of benzyl alcohol

Under the Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemical substances can pose to Canadians and the environment. The first stage of the review process is a draft chemical risk assessment.

We have completed the draft assessment of benzyl alcohol. We're proposing that long-term dermal (skin) application use of certain products with high concentrations of benzyl alcohol may affect the nervous system. These products include:

• sunscreens
• body and face creams
• deodorants and antiperspirants

However, we are proposing that these products are not a concern when used sparingly.

We are also proposing that:

• benzyl alcohol is not harmful to the environment
• exposure to benzyl alcohol from other sources does not pose a risk to your health

What we're doing

Our assessment is not final. We're continuing to evaluate the potential risk posed by benzyl alcohol before we publish our final conclusion. This includes:

• tracking new information on exposures or hazards
• asking the public to comment on our draft assessment
• reviewing and using this information to help shape our final assessment

Currently, there are restrictions on benzyl alcohol used in:

• natural health products
• some non-prescription drugs, such as throat lozenges and hemorrhoid creams

If the final chemical risk assessment confirms our proposed findings, we will consider:

• adding benzyl alcohol to the List of Toxic Substances
  • this allows Canada to implement preventive or control actions for the life cycle of the substance, from the research and development stage through manufacture, use, storage, transport and disposal or recycling
• adding benzyl alcohol to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
  • this will provide information to manufacturers on the restrictions for using benzyl alcohol in certain cosmetics
• changing the existing entry for benzyl alcohol on the Natural Health Product Ingredient Database:
  • lowering the maximum allowable concentration of benzyl alcohol from 3% to 1% in:
    • sunscreens
    • other leave-on natural health products and non-prescription drugs

What you can do

Consumers are reminded to:

• read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions
  • labels on cosmetics, natural health products and non-prescription drugs must list all ingredients
• contact the manufacturer if you are unsure whether a product contains benzyl alcohol
• use over-the-counter products that have a drug identification number (DIN) or natural product number (NPN)
  • these numbers mean the product is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act
• follow the manufacturer's directions to dispose of the product safely
• provide any comments on our draft assessment during the 60-day public comment period

If you're exposed to benzyl alcohol at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:

• relevant laws
• safe handling and storage practices
• requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

For more information

• Measuring your exposure to chemicals
• Canada's system for addressing chemicals
• Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan

For industry and professionals

• Alcohols group – info sheet
• Risk assessment of chemical substances