Benzyl cinnamate

Benzyl cinnamate appears chiefly in Peru balsam and styrax. Practical data indicate very low irritation and sensitization risk; some authors consider its inclusion among the 26 EU fragrance allergens overcautious.

Skin. An 8 percent patch test on 25 volunteers caused neither irritation nor sensitization. An HRIPT at 4 percent on 101 volunteers gave no reactions. Among 1,072 dermatitis patients, under 1 percent reacted at 1–2 percent.

Peru balsam sensitive patients may cross-react: 3 of 102 reacted to 2 percent benzyl cinnamate.

Oral. Acute oral LD50 is 3.76 g/kg in guinea pigs and 3.28 g/kg in rats. Rabbit dermal LD50 exceeds 3 g/kg.

Subchronic. Rats fed 10,000 ppm for 19 weeks showed no macroscopic effects. NOAEL is 500 mg/kg/day.

Mutagenicity. Non-mutagenic in the Bacillus subtilis rec assay.

The source oils for benzyl cinnamate are Peru balsam and styrax, which themselves carry dermal limits. Adding a constituent-specific limit may be redundant.