What it is
Phenethyl acetate is the acetate ester of phenethyl alcohol and carries a sweet, rosy, honey-like odor. It is a common fragrance material used to add floral nuance to scented cosmetic products. In a formula it functions purely as a scent component rather than as a skin active.
Safety & warnings
Phenethyl acetate is used as a fragrance ingredient and, like other scent materials, can contribute to fragrance-related sensitivity in susceptible individuals; those with fragrance allergies or reactive skin may wish to patch test. It is used at low levels typical of fragrance components.
Origin & sourcing
It can be both naturally occurring, found in various flowers and fruits and in some essential oils, and produced synthetically by esterifying phenethyl alcohol with acetic acid for fragrance use.
Questions everyone asks
What does phenethyl acetate do in a product?
It is a fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral, honey-like scent to the formula.
Is phenethyl acetate natural?
It occurs naturally in some flowers and fruits but is also commonly made synthetically for use as a fragrance material.