Description

What is C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate?

YL1215AB (CAS 68411-27-8, INCI: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate) is a classic, highly effective emollient and solvent ester produced by esterifying benzoic acid with a blend of C12–C15 fatty alcohols. Because it is built from a mixed alcohol cut rather than a single alcohol, it is not one single molecule but a defined mixture of alkyl benzoate esters. It is supplied as a clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid with a very faint odour, low viscosity and a light, smooth, silky skin feel — which is exactly why formulators have kept it on the bench for decades.

Functionally, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate wears two hats.  it softens and conditions skin and delivers a smooth, dry afterfeel without greasiness or heaviness. As a solvent and dispersant, it readily dissolves lipophilic actives, UV filters, pigments, silicones and fragrance oils, and holds them evenly distributed throughout a formula — it is one of the few cosmetic esters with a genuinely high spreading coefficient, which is why it has long been described as an ideal carrier for oil-soluble sunscreen actives. It is miscible with most cosmetic oils, esters and silicones and insoluble in water, so it sits naturally in the oil phase of an emulsion. Typical use levels range from 2 % to 15 %, and it is widely used in suncare, skincare, colour cosmetics and hair care.

Our YL1215AB grade is a high-purity, low-odour material with an assay of ≥ 98.5 %, produced under a consistent quality management system with full batch traceability and a Certificate of Analysis supplied with every shipment.

---

Key Benefits

• Light, silky, non-greasy afterfeel — the low viscosity and high spreading coefficient give fast, even glide and a dry, velvety finish, so you can raise the oil phase of a lotion, serum or foundation without making it feel heavy or tacky on skin.
• High solvent power for UV filters and lipophilic actives — it dissolves and stabilises oil-soluble UV filters, vitamins and other lipophilic actives, keeping them uniformly dispersed so protection and activity stay consistent from the first use to the last. This makes it a preferred carrier in suncare, where it is also reported to help boost the performance of certain UV filter systems.
• Excellent pigment wetting and dispersion — it wets and disperses treated and untreated pigments, mineral fillers and pearlising agents, reducing dusting, improving colour development and helping pressed powders, foundations and concealers press and wear more evenly.
• Reduces tack and improves spreadability — blended into an oil phase it breaks the drag of heavier emollients and butters, so a cream or body oil spreads further with less rubbing and leaves no waxy residue.
• Oxidatively stable, essentially odourless and colour-stable — a fully saturated aromatic ester with a very low iodine value, it resists oxidation and rancidity, does not distort your fragrance accord, and keeps a low colour that will not yellow a white or pastel emulsion.
• Good skin compatibility and a well-documented safety profile — the C12–C15 chain length limits penetration beyond the stratum corneum, the material has been assessed as safe for cosmetic use by the CIR Expert Panel, and it is listed on the Chinese, EU and US cosmetic ingredient inventories.

---

FAQ

• Is C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate the same as benzyl benzoate?

No. Benzyl benzoate (CAS 120-51-4) is a single, small-molecule aromatic ester used mainly as a fragrance ingredient, fixative and in pharmaceutical applications. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a much larger, mixed ester of benzoic acid with C12–C15 fatty alcohols, and it is used as a cosmetic emollient and solvent. The two are chemically related but not interchangeable in a formulation.

• Is C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate natural or synthetic?

It is a synthetic (nature-identical in structure, but manufactured) ester. It is produced by esterifying benzoic acid — which may itself be of petrochemical or bio-based origin — with C12–C15 fatty alcohols. Bio-based and mass-balance grades are available from some producers; specify your requirement when requesting a quotation.

• How does C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate compare with GTCC or mineral oil?

Compared with caprylic/capric triglyceride (GTCC, CAS 73398-61-5), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a better solvent for UV filters and pigments, feels lighter and drier, and spreads faster; GTCC is a slightly heavier, more occlusive emollient with a richer cushion. Compared with mineral oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is far lighter and non-occlusive, is odourless and colourless, and disperses pigments and powders readily, which mineral oil does not. Many formulators use them together, with C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate acting as the lighter, pigment-wetting component.

• What is the recommended use level?

Typically 2 %–15 %: 5–15 % suncare (UV filter solvent), 2–12 % skincare, 3–15 % colour cosmetics, 1–5 % hair care. Add to the oil phase at the start of the emulsion, or use at room temperature as a carrier for actives and pigments. Confirm with your own stability and compatibility test.