Is Benzyl Alcohol Good or Bad for Hair?

When you see the word “alcohol” on your shampoo bottle, it’s easy to raise an eyebrow. After all, alcohols are known to be drying, right? But not all alcohols are created equal. Some are indeed drying, while others, like fatty alcohols, can be beneficial for your hair and skin.

Benzyl alcohol falls somewhere in the middle. Classified as an aromatic alcohol, it doesn’t offer many direct benefits for your hair but doesn’t harm it either when used in recommended concentrations. Let’s dive deeper into what benzyl alcohol is, why it’s in your haircare products, and how safe it really is.

What is Benzyl Alcohol Anyway?

Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol naturally found in various plants, including jasmine, hyacinth, and ylang-ylang. It’s a colorless liquid with a mild, sweet fragrance, often used in cosmetics for its preservative and solvent properties.

Benzyl alcohol is produced both from natural sources and synthetically. Industrially, it’s made from toluene through benzyl chloride, which is then hydrolyzed, or by hydrogenating benzaldehyde​.

When it comes to hair care products, benzyl alcohol is usually found in shampoos and conditioners but also in some other hair care products like hair sprays, hair treatments, hair serums, and hair dyes.

Beyond the beauty world, benzyl alcohol plays roles in the production of inks, paints, and epoxy resins. It’s even used as a local anesthetic.

This versatile ingredient is valued not just for its practical applications but also for its gentle fragrance, making it a favorite in various products.

How Safe is Benzyl Alcohol?

When it comes to safety, benzyl alcohol has a moderate risk rating of 4 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG)​​. This is mainly due to its potential to cause allergic reactions, though these are quite rare.

For example, one study showed that only 0.21% of 70,867 patients tested showed a positive reaction to benzyl alcohol, most of which were mild​​. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) considers benzyl alcohol a weak skin sensitizer​.

Studies indicate that benzyl alcohol can be irritating at concentrations of 3% or higher, but at the levels used in shampoos and conditioners (less than 1%), it is unlikely to cause irritation​. In fact, data from PubChem, shows that a patch test with 0.65% concentration of benzyl alcohol resulted in no negative reactions. This suggests that the small amounts used in haircare products are safe for most users.

Rare reactions can occur, mainly in people who already have allergies or suffer from dermatitis. Additionally, leave-on products like hair sprays may be more likely to cause reactions in sensitive individuals​.

Benefits of Benzyl Alcohol in Hair Products

While benzyl alcohol doesn’t directly improve hair health, it plays several important roles in haircare formulations:

Preservative: Benzyl alcohol helps extend the shelf life of hair products by preventing microbial growth. This means your shampoos, conditioners, and other products stay fresh and effective for longer​​.

Solvent: It dissolves other ingredients, ensuring a smooth, uniform mixture. This helps the product perform consistently every time you use it​.

Fragrance: Benzyl alcohol adds a mild, pleasant scent to hair products, making your haircare routine more enjoyable with a subtle aromatic touch​.

Viscosity Agent: Benzyl alcohol thins the product, making it easier to apply and spread through your hair evenly. (Viscosity refers to how thick or thin a liquid is)​

Lice Treatment: At a 5% concentration, benzyl alcohol is effective in treating head lice. This makes it a versatile ingredient not just for maintenance but also for specific treatments​.

So, What Does Benzyl Alcohol Do to Hair? Anything?

Concerns about alcohols drying out hair are understandable, but benzyl alcohol doesn’t belong to the same category as harsh alcohols like ethanol. The small amounts used in haircare products (usually less than 1%) are safe, with no evidence that benzyl alcohol causes dryness or hair loss when used in shampoos, conditioners, or other hair products​.

Research on benzyl alcohol’s effects on hair is limited and mostly focuses on skin reactions. However, one study found that in hair dyes, benzyl alcohol improves dye uptake, helps retain moisture, and reduces protein loss during the dyeing process. This means it can actually help minimize damage when you dye your hair​.

Remember, this ingredient rinses out when you use your shampoo and conditioner, reducing any potential risk even further​.

In summary, while you may find claims online about benzyl alcohol being harmful, these are not supported by scientific evidence. When used in the recommended concentrations in haircare products, benzyl alcohol is safe and can even contribute to healthier hair during dyeing processes.

Conclusion

While benzyl alcohol may sound alarming at first, it’s generally safe and beneficial in haircare products when used appropriately. It helps extend the shelf life of products, ensures they work effectively, and even aids in specific treatments like lice removal​​. So, next time you see benzyl alcohol on your shampoo label, you can feel confident knowing it’s there to keep your product fresh and effective​.