Benzyl Alcohol

1. Pharmaceutical & Healthcare

• Solvent for drugs: Used to dissolve poorly soluble drugs in injectable formulations and oral syrups.

• Preservative: Acts as a bacteriostatic preservative in multi-dose vials and ophthalmic solutions.

• Topical anesthetic: Sometimes included in creams and ointments for mild numbing effect.

2. Cosmetic & Personal Care

• Fragrance ingredient: Provides a mild, pleasant aroma in perfumes, lotions, shampoos, and soaps.

• Solvent for cosmetic ingredients: Helps dissolve oils, pigments, and other active ingredients.

• Preservative: Increases shelf life of cosmetic formulations by inhibiting microbial growth.

3. Industrial & Chemical Applications

• Solvent: Used in paints, coatings, inks, and dyes for better solubility and spread.

• Intermediate in chemical synthesis: Key raw material for benzyl derivatives, esters, and plasticizers.

• Cleaning agent: Occasionally used in industrial cleaning or degreasing formulations.

4. Laboratory & Research

• Solvent: Used in organic synthesis and extraction processes due to its moderate polarity.

• Reagent: Can participate in esterification and other chemical reactions.