Fragrance avoidance
Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.
The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.
Hexyl salicylate
Hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate is restricted in cosmetic products under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
Research docs0Claims0Sources6FunctionDeodorizer • Flavouring and nutrientIdentifier6259-76-3
Concern score
70/100High concern based on regulatory listings.
Well researched
How we scored this
The concern value reflects this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from the published classifications and regulatory status below — not the safety of a product it appears in. A score near 40 is the baseline for ingredients with no specific signal (water scores 40 by design), so a mid-range value is not a safety verdict.
Concern score 70/100 (high) · high confidence.
Regional restrictions
- EU — restricted · Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down. Product types: (a) Hydroalcoholic-based fragrances (except hydroalcoholic-based fragrances intended for children below 3 years of age) (b) All rinse-off products (except shower gel/bath products, hand wash, hair conditioner and shampoo intended for children below 3 years of age) (c) All leave-on products (except hair conditioner, body lotion, face cream, hand cream, lipstick/lip balm and fragrance products… Maximum concentration: (a) 2 % (b) 0,5 % (c) 0,3 % (d) 0,001 % (e) 0,001 % (f) 0,1 % Other conditions: Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
Where it appears
Prevalence of Hexyl salicylate in our catalog (epa_cpdat).
Products
200
Brands
6
Cleaning products and household carePersonal careCleaning and safetyVehiclePesticides
Typical roles
DeodorizerFlavouring and nutrientFragrance
Catalog
Found in these products
Suitability
Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.
Avoid
Evidence read
The published evidence profile currently shaping this ingredient record.
No evidence profiles are attached to this ingredient yet.
Linked research
Primary documents currently linked to this ingredient record.
No linked research documents are attached to this ingredient yet.
Extracted claims
Structured claim signals pulled from linked ingredient research.
No extracted claims are attached to this ingredient yet.
Regulatory status
Published jurisdiction-level classifications and regulatory designations for this ingredient.
EU
EC
Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down. Product types: (a) Hydroalcoholic-based fragrances (except hydroalcoholic-based fragrances intended for children below 3 years of age) (b) All rinse-off products (except shower gel/bath products, hand wash, hair conditioner and shampoo intended for children below 3 years of age) (c) All leave-on products (except hair conditioner, body lotion, face cream, hand cream, lipstick/lip balm and fragrance products… Maximum concentration: (a) 2 % (b) 0,5 % (c) 0,3 % (d) 0,001 % (e) 0,001 % (f) 0,1 % Other conditions: Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, with the exception of (d) “Toothpaste” and (f).
Effective: 2026-01-15View source →
US
EPA
EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 200 composition records across product categories including Cleaning products and household care, Personal care, Cleaning and safety. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Fragrance, Deodorizer, Flavouring and nutrient.
Effective: february 19, 2015
