murphyMethyl Salicylate
AKA: Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, 119-36-8, Analgit, Flucarmit, Exagien, Betula, 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester, Gaultheriaoel, Wintergruenoel
Synthetic
Soothing
Fragrance
Not Clean
OriginSynthesized from salicylic acid and methanol through esterification, a common organic synthesis reaction. Produced industrially via catalytic esterification or direct synthesis from phenol and dimethyl carbonate.
Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen or wintergreen oil) is an organic ester naturally produced by many species of plants, particularly wintergreens. The compound was first extracted and isolated from plant species Gaultheria procumbens in 1843. It can be manufactured synthetically and it used as a fragrance, in foods, beverages, and liniments. It forms a colorless to yellow or reddish liquid and exhibits a characteristic odor and taste of wintergreen. For acute joint and muscular pain, methyl salicylate is used as a rubefacient and analgesic in deep heating liniments. It is used as a flavoring agent in chewing gums and mints in small concentrations and added as antiseptic in mouthwash solutions.
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 66 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C8H8O3
Mol. Weight
152.15
CAS #
119-36-8
Form
Liquid
State
Methyl salicylate appears as colorless yellowish or reddish liquid with odor of wintergreen. (USCG, 1999)
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
No
Functions
Denaturant
Flavouring
Oral Care
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Soothing
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation. Your skin's chill pill — great for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Soothes Skin
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
6
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
No
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Animal test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 766)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
3 studies / 2 irritating / 1 mixed / reactions severe (CIR 766)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
16 studies / 12 irritating / 3 mixed / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal to severe / plus 1 case report (CIR 302 and 766)
Mixed Sensitization Results
13 studies / 1 mixed / 12 not sensitizing / plus 2 case reports (CIR 302 and 766)
Dermal Absorption 2.39–56%
17 results from animal / human / in vitro tests in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 302 and 766)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.0000013–1%
Rinse-off0.00000006–0.23%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.02%
CIR reported use · 2018 survey
EU/SCCS limit: 0.02% in lip, children. Opinion: SCCS/1654/23
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR