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C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

What C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is & what it does

A light, fast-absorbing emollient and solvent that dissolves UV filters and spreads them into an even film. It improves skin feel and helps avoid the heavy greasiness associated with some filters.

What does C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate do?

It is a lightweight emollient that gives sunscreen a smooth, silky, non-greasy slip and helps dissolve and spread the UV filters evenly. It also has mild antimicrobial and stabilising benefits.

Is C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate safe?

Yes. It is well tolerated and reviewed as safe in cosmetics, with a low rate of irritation.

Does C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate clog pores?

It is generally considered low on the comedogenic scale and is widely used in lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas. Results vary by person, but it is not a typical pore-clogger.

Is C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate natural?

It is synthetic, though built partly from natural feedstocks: the fatty alcohols usually come from coconut or palm, reacted with benzoic acid to form the ester. It does not occur in nature in this form; it is manufactured for a light, silky slip. Natural origin does not make an ingredient safer, and this one is gentle and well tolerated either way.

Is C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate safe to use during pregnancy?

C12-15 alkyl benzoate has no known pregnancy concern. It is a lightweight emollient used to give a silky feel and spread the filters, and it is well tolerated.

Sunscreens with C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

We rate 2746 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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