murphyBenzoic Acid
AKA: 65-85-0, Dracylic acid, Benzenecarboxylic acid, Benzeneformic acid, Carboxybenzene, Phenylformic acid, Benzenemethanoic acid, Phenylcarboxylic acid, Retardex
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Acid
Clean
OriginDerived from the aromatic compound phenylformic acid, a member of the carboxylic acid chemical family. Synthesized through the oxidation of toluene or via the hydrolysis of benzyl cyanide.
Benzoic acid, C6H5COOH, is a colourless crystalline solid and the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid. Benzoic acid occurs naturally free and bound as benzoic acid esters in many plant and animal species. Appreciable amounts have been found in most berries (around 0.05%). Cranberries contain as much as 300-1300 mg free benzoic acid per kg fruit. Benzoic acid is a fungistatic compound that is widely used as a food preservative. It often is conjugated to glycine in the liver and excreted as hippuric acid. Benzoic acid is a byproduct of phenylalanine metabolism in bacteria. It is also produced when gut bacteria process polyphenols (from ingested fruits or beverages).
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C7H6O2
Mol. Weight
122.12
CAS #
65-85-0
Form
Liquid
State
Benzoic acid appears as a white crystalline solid. Slightly soluble in water. The primary hazard is the potential for environmental damage if released. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Buffering
Unclogs pores
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
2
CIR
—
Pregnancy
—
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
3 studies / 3 not sensitizing / plus 2 case reports (CIR 323 and 574)
Not Phototoxic
Lab (in vitro) test and Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 323)
Eye Irritant in Testing
1 study / 1 irritating / reactions slight (CIR 323)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
2 studies / 1 mixed / 1 not irritating (CIR 323)
Dermal Absorption 1.07–60.5%
7 results from animal / human tests in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 323)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.000002–5%
Rinse-off0.000003–5%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2010 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG