Benzyl alcohol is an antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetics,
foods, and a wide range of pharmaceutical formulations,(1–4)
including oral and parenteral preparations, at concentrations up
to 2.0% v/v. The typical concentration used is 1% v/v, and it has
been reported to be used in protein, peptide and small molecule
products, although its frequency of use has fallen from 48 products
in 1996, 30 products in 2001, to 15 products in 2006.(5) In
cosmetics, concentrations up to 3.0% v/v may be used as a
preservative. Concentrations of 5% v/v or more are employed as a
solubilizer, while a 10% v/v solution is used as a disinfectant.