Phenyl salicylates (inci)

Phenyl salicylate, a white, slightly spicy smelling powder with the molecular formula C13H10O3, is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance is hardly soluble in water but soluble in ethanol, ether, paraffin and fatty vegetable oils. Phenylsalicylate absorbs sunlight between 290 and 330nm (UVB range) and is used in sunscreens (5-10%). Furthermore, phenyl salicylate acts as an antimicrobial substance (helps to inhibit the growth of chlorine-forming microorganisms on the skin) and as a denaturant.

Contact allergic eczema has been described to the substance. Remarkably, a transformation of the salicylic acid phenyl ester with chlorine substitutions occurs in chlorinated bath water.

1. Calnan et al (1982): Allergy to phenyl salicylate. Contact dermatitis 7: 208-211
2. de Oliveira e Sá MM et al. (2014) Study of the transformation of two salicylates used in personal care products in chlorinated water Water Res. 2014 Nov 15;65:32-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25086797
3. Fimiani et al (1990) Contact dermatitis from phenyl salicylate in a galenic cream. Contact dermatitis 22: 239
4. Nakagawa et al (1992) Cross-sensitivity between resorcinol, resorcinol monobenzoate and phenyl salicylate. Contact dermatitis 27: 199-200