Benzyl benzoate is a widely used chemical ingredient in fragrance making, cosmetic formulations, and various DIY product formulations. For hobbyists, candle makers, and home formulators, this versatile compound is particularly valuable as a fragrance fixative and solvent.
If you are working with fragrance oils, essential oils, perfumes, wax melts, or cosmetic blends, understanding how benzyl benzoate works can help you create longer-lasting scents and more stable formulations.
For individuals and small-scale makers searching for where to buy benzyl benzoate UK online, high-purity grades are available directly from the UK chemical supplier:
Benzyl Benzoate 99.9% – shop here:
https://shop.hdchemicals.co.uk/products/benzyl-benzoate-99-9
In this guide we will explore:
-
What benzyl benzoate is
-
Why fragrance makers use it
-
How it works as a solvent and fixative
-
Practical DIY formulations using grams and litres
-
Comparisons with ethanol, dipropylene glycol and isopropyl myristate
-
Safety and storage tips
This article is designed to help individual customers and hobby formulators better understand this powerful ingredient.
What is Benzyl Benzoate?
Benzyl benzoate is an aromatic ester compound formed from benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid. It appears as a clear to slightly yellow liquid and has a mild, faintly sweet aromatic scent.
Because of its chemical stability and solvent properties, it is widely used in:
-
fragrance manufacturing
-
cosmetic products
-
perfume formulations
-
pharmaceutical preparations
-
essential oil blends
One of the main reasons benzyl benzoate is so popular among fragrance formulators is its ability to act as a fixative, helping fragrances last longer.
If you are looking for where to buy benzyl benzoate UK online, you can obtain high purity laboratory grade material here:
Why DIY Fragrance Makers Use Benzyl Benzoate
Fragrance makers often struggle with scents that evaporate too quickly. Many essential oils and fragrance compounds are highly volatile, meaning they disappear quickly after application.
Benzyl benzoate helps solve this problem because it:
-
slows evaporation of fragrance molecules
-
improves scent longevity
-
stabilises essential oil blends
-
improves compatibility between ingredients
This makes it extremely useful for:
-
perfume oils
-
fragrance concentrates
-
scented candles
-
cosmetic products
It is commonly used together with solvents such as ethanol and dipropylene glycol.
Understanding Fragrance Solvents
When making perfumes or fragrance blends, several different solvents are used to achieve the desired performance.
The most common include:
Ethanol
Ethanol is the primary solvent used in alcohol-based perfumes because it evaporates quickly and helps disperse fragrance compounds into the air.
If you are searching for where to buy ethanol UK online, you can obtain high purity 96% ethanol here:
Dipropylene Glycol (DPG)
Dipropylene glycol is widely used in fragrance formulations as a fragrance carrier and diluent. It slows evaporation and helps evenly distribute fragrance oils.
For hobbyists searching where to buy dipropylene glycol UK online, it is available here:
Isopropyl Myristate (IPM)
Isopropyl myristate is commonly used in cosmetics and perfumes to improve texture and absorption.
If you need where to buy isopropyl myristate UK online, you can find it here:
How Benzyl Benzoate Works as a Fragrance Fixative
A fragrance fixative is a substance that slows down the evaporation rate of volatile scent compounds.
Without fixatives, perfume molecules evaporate quickly, resulting in fragrances that disappear within minutes.
Benzyl benzoate works because it:
-
has a relatively high boiling point
-
dissolves many aromatic compounds
-
slows evaporation of volatile ingredients
This allows the fragrance to release gradually over time.
For example, a perfume without a fixative may last only 1–2 hours, while one containing benzyl benzoate may last 4–8 hours or more.
DIY Perfume Recipe Using Benzyl Benzoate
Below is a simple perfume formulation suitable for beginners.
50 ml DIY perfume formula
Ingredients:
-
30 ml ethanol
-
10 ml fragrance oil
-
5 ml dipropylene glycol
-
5 ml benzyl benzoate
Method
-
Measure 30 ml ethanol into a clean glass bottle.
-
Add 10 ml fragrance oil.
-
Add 5 ml dipropylene glycol to improve solubility.
-
Add 5 ml benzyl benzoate as the fixative.
-
Mix thoroughly and allow the mixture to mature for 48 hours.
The result is a balanced perfume with improved longevity.
Making DIY Room Spray with Benzyl Benzoate
Benzyl benzoate can also be used in home fragrance sprays.
1 litre room spray formulation
Ingredients:
-
850 ml ethanol
-
100 ml fragrance oil
-
30 ml dipropylene glycol
-
20 ml benzyl benzoate
Instructions
-
Combine ethanol and dipropylene glycol in a mixing container.
-
Add fragrance oil slowly while stirring.
-
Add benzyl benzoate.
-
Mix thoroughly and pour into spray bottles.
This formula produces a stable and long-lasting room fragrance.
Using Benzyl Benzoate in Candle Making
Candle makers often face problems with fragrance throw.
Fragrance throw refers to how well a candle releases scent when burning.
Adding benzyl benzoate can help stabilise fragrance oils and improve performance.
Example 500 g candle formulation
Ingredients:
-
450 g soy wax
-
40 g fragrance oil
-
10 g benzyl benzoate
Steps:
-
Melt soy wax to approximately 70°C.
-
Add fragrance oil.
-
Stir in benzyl benzoate.
-
Mix thoroughly before pouring into moulds.
This helps slow fragrance evaporation during burning.
Cosmetic Formulations Using Benzyl Benzoate
Benzyl benzoate is also used in cosmetic products where it acts as a solvent and fragrance carrier.
Example 100 g body oil formulation
Ingredients:
-
80 g carrier oil
-
10 g fragrance blend
-
5 g benzyl benzoate
-
5 g isopropyl myristate
The addition of isopropyl myristate improves skin feel and reduces greasiness.
Storage and Handling of Benzyl Benzoate
Proper storage is important to maintain product quality.
Store benzyl benzoate in:
-
tightly sealed containers
-
cool, dry conditions
-
away from direct sunlight
Typical shelf life when stored correctly is 2–3 years.
Safety Considerations
Although benzyl benzoate is widely used in cosmetics and fragrance products, it should still be handled responsibly.
Safety recommendations include:
-
avoid direct eye contact
-
use gloves when handling large quantities
-
work in well-ventilated areas
-
keep containers sealed when not in use
Always follow appropriate safety guidelines when handling chemical substances.
Where to Buy Benzyl Benzoate in the UK
If you are searching for where to buy benzyl benzoate UK online, HD Chemicals supplies high-purity benzyl benzoate suitable for fragrance and formulation use.
Product page:
https://shop.hdchemicals.co.uk/products/benzyl-benzoate-99-9
You may also need other solvents commonly used alongside benzyl benzoate:
Ethanol 96%:
https://shop.hdchemicals.co.uk/products/ethanol-ethyl-alcohol-96
Dipropylene Glycol:
https://shop.hdchemicals.co.uk/products/dipropylene-glycol-99-8
Isopropyl Myristate:
https://shop.hdchemicals.co.uk/products/isopropyl-myristate-liquid-ipm
These ingredients together allow hobbyists and formulators to create a wide range of fragrance and cosmetic products.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is benzyl benzoate used for?
Benzyl benzoate is commonly used as a solvent, fragrance fixative and stabiliser in perfumes, cosmetics and fragrance products.
2. Is benzyl benzoate used in perfumes?
Yes, it is widely used in perfume formulations because it helps fragrances last longer.
3. Can benzyl benzoate be used in candle making?
Yes, it can help stabilise fragrance oils and improve scent longevity in candles.
4. What solvents are commonly used with benzyl benzoate?
Common solvents include ethanol, dipropylene glycol and isopropyl myristate.
5. Is benzyl benzoate soluble in ethanol?
Yes, benzyl benzoate dissolves well in ethanol and many organic solvents.
6. Can beginners use benzyl benzoate in DIY projects?
Yes, it is commonly used by hobby formulators in fragrance and cosmetic projects.
7. How much benzyl benzoate should be used in perfume?
Typical formulations use around 5–10% of the final mixture.
8. Does benzyl benzoate have a smell?
It has a mild, slightly sweet aroma but is mainly used for its solvent and fixative properties.
9. How long does benzyl benzoate last in storage?
When stored properly, it typically lasts 2–3 years.
10. Where can I buy benzyl benzoate in the UK?
You can buy high purity benzyl benzoate from the UK chemical supplier HD Chemicals online.