Meta Description: Discover amyl salicylate (CAS 2050-08-0) — its sweet floral scent, key applications in fine fragrance and personal care, safety profile, and market outlook. A complete guide for formulators and buyers.

What Is Amyl Salicylate?

Amyl salicylate (CAS 2050-08-0), also known as pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate or pentyl salicylate, is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a sweet, floral, and slightly herbal aroma. It is a colorless clear liquid that is insoluble in water but soluble in oils and organic solvents.

Chemically, it is a C12 benzoate ester within the salicylate class, produced via esterification of salicylic acid with amyl alcohol isomers. Its molecular formula is C₁₂H₁₆O₃, with a molecular weight of 208.25 g/mol. With global usage exceeding 1,000 metric tons annually, it is a high-volume fragrance ingredient that serves as a fixative and blending agent across fine fragrances, personal care products, and household cleaners.

Scent Profile: A Floral-Herbal Character

Amyl salicylate opens with a crisp, green-floral burst reminiscent of clover fields at dawn. Within minutes, it evolves into a smooth, sweet heart resembling chamomile tea with honey. The dry-down reveals a soft, powdery-musky base that lingers like sun-warmed linen.

Its five-carbon chain adds roundness — imagine orchid petals dipped in pear nectar, with just a whisper of minty freshness keeping it from becoming cloying. Givaudan describes it as having a floral and sweet, herbaceous and balsamic character with a green undertone. The odor at 100% concentration is often characterized as "herbal floral clover azalea green sweet chocolate".

This moderate odor intensity makes it suitable for a wide array of applications, from fine fragrances to industrial cleaners.

Key Applications in Fragrance and Flavor

Fine Fragrance

Amyl salicylate is a staple in fine perfumery, used at typical levels of 1–5% and up to 10% in concentrates. It functions as a floral modifier and base note, bridging heart notes with woody foundations. Its excellent substantivity and compatibility with other fragrance ingredients make it particularly valuable for creating lasting floral compositions.

The ingredient has been used in iconic fragrances including Chanel No. 5, where it softens the aldehydic sparkle and bridges the jasmine-rose heart with the woody base, and L'Air du Temps, where it provides a clean, soapy floralcy.

Personal Care and Household Products

Beyond fine fragrance, amyl salicylate is widely used in soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents, fabric conditioners, and air fresheners. Its stability across a wide pH range (2–11) ensures robust performance in diverse formulations, including antiperspirants and bleach-containing products. In soap applications, it is used at 0.5–2% and provides lasting floralcy.

Flavor Applications

Amyl salicylate is also used as a flavoring substance, offering an aromatic, fruity, wintergreen taste. It is a nature-identical substance, meaning its chemical structure matches that found in nature.

Safety and Regulatory Status

IFRA and Cosmetic Regulations

Amyl salicylate is IFRA-approved with no restrictions for use in fragrance applications. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review found the substance safe as used at reported concentrations when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. In the EU, it is classified as restricted under Regulation 1223/2009, primarily due to its classification as a potential fragrance contact allergen.

Sensitization Profile

Amyl salicylate is counted among potential fragrance contact allergens, and its level is limited by IFRA standards. A reaction is possible in sensitized people, though most do not react. The patch test positive rate is approximately 0.2%, and the allergen class is fragrance-related. Human repeat insult patch tests have shown no sensitization at doses up to 6,750 µg/cm².

Toxicity Data

The oral LD50 in rats is 4,100 mg/kg, indicating relatively low acute toxicity. At cosmetic concentrations, systemic absorption is low, and there is no evidence of harm with topical use. Irritation potential is low, making it suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.

Market Outlook: Steady Growth Ahead

The global amyl salicylate market was valued at approximately 25–50 million USD in 2025, reflecting the compound's specialized nature and consistent demand across end-use sectors. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3% to 4.3% through 2030.

Regional highlights:

• Europe represents a significant portion of global consumption, driven by established perfumery traditions in France, Germany, and the UK, with growth rates of 3.0–4.0% annually.

• North America demonstrates steady consumption, with growth estimated at 2.5–3.5% annually, supported by premium personal care and home fragrance trends.

• Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, represents emerging growth opportunities with expansion rates potentially reaching 4.0–5.0% annually, fueled by urbanization and rising disposable incomes.

The personal care segment accounts for the largest consumption category, with growth rates of 2.8–4.0% annually. The trend toward natural and organic personal care has created opportunities for amyl salicylate as formulators seek effective synthetic alternatives to expensive natural extracts.

Why Formulators Choose Amyl Salicylate

• Versatile olfactory profile: Bridges floral, herbal, and balsamic notes in a single molecule.

• Excellent stability: Performs reliably across pH 2–11, suitable for diverse product matrices.

• Cost-effective: Mimics natural floral notes while being more stable and affordable than plant extracts.

• Regulatory acceptance: IFRA-approved with no restrictions and CIR-assessed as safe at reported use levels.

• Proven track record: Used in iconic fragrances for over a century.

For perfumers and product developers seeking a reliable floral backbone, amyl salicylate remains an indispensable tool in the modern fragrance palette.