murphyIsobutyl Benzoate
AKA: 120-50-3, 2-Methylpropyl benzoate, BENZOIC ACID, 2-METHYLPROPYL ESTER, Benzoic acid, Isobutyl ester, FEMA No. 2185
Synthetic
Preservative
Solvent
Not Clean
OriginSynthesized from benzoic acid and isobutanol, both petroleum-derived organic compounds. Produced through Fischer esterification, combining the carboxylic acid and alcohol under catalytic conditions.
Isobutyl benzoate is a benzoate ester obtained by the formal condensation of benzoic acid with isobutanol. It has a role as a metabolite. It is functionally related to a benzoic acid and an isobutanol.
Solubility insoluble in water; soluble in organic solvents, oils
Formula
C11H14O2
Mol. Weight
178.23
CAS #
120-50-3
Form
Liquid
State
colourless oily liquid with a green, floral, leafy odour
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Moisturizing
Antioxidant
Prevents microbial growth
Provides scent
Dissolves other ingredients
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
2 studies / 2 not sensitizing (CIR 578)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
3 studies / 1 irritating / 2 not irritating (CIR 578)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.01%
Rinse-offNot reported
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.5%
CIR reported use · report published 2012
EU regulatory limit: 0.5%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 1a.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR