murphyMethyl Benzoate
AKA: 93-58-3, Benzoic acid methyl ester, Methylbenzoate, Benzoic acid, Methyl ester, Clorius, Methyl benzenecarboxylate, Essence of niobe, FEMA No. 2683, Methylester kyseliny benzoove
Synthetic
Emollient
Preservative
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Clean
OriginSynthesized from benzoic acid and methanol, both petroleum-derived organic compounds. Produced through Fischer esterification, where benzoic acid reacts with methanol under acidic catalyst conditions.
Methyl benzoate appears as a crystalline solid or a solid dissolved in a liquid. Denser than water. Contact may slightly irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be slightly toxic by ingestion. Used to make other chemicals.
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 72.5 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C8H8O2
Mol. Weight
136.15
CAS #
93-58-3
Form
Liquid
State
Methyl benzoate appears as a crystalline solid or a solid dissolved in a liquid. Denser than water. Contact may slightly irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be slightly toxic by ingestion. U
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.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Locks In Moisture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Human test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 578)
Not a Sensitizer
3 studies / 3 not sensitizing (CIR 578)
Eye Irritant in Testing
1 study / 1 irritating / reactions slight (CIR 578)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
3 studies / 2 irritating / 1 not irritating (CIR 578)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.005–0.3%
Rinse-off0.007–0.3%
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