Methyl Salicylate

Adds scent.

In the Fragrance group In the Fragrance allergens group

What it is

A fragrance substance found naturally in wintergreen and sweet birch, and also made in a lab. EU rules require it to be named on the label when present above set levels.

Gives the product a minty wintergreen scent and flavor.

A short summary from the dictionary, not yet an in-depth article. About these entries

What it does in a formula

Adds scentOfficial EU function: Perfuming

Used to sootheOfficial EU function: Soothing

Makes alcohol undrinkableOfficial EU function: Denaturant

FlavouringOfficial EU function: Flavouring

Used in oral careOfficial EU function: Oral care

Why some people watch for it

Fragrance

Some people prefer unscented products, and people with sensitive skin often look for fragrance because it is one of the ingredient types most often linked to skin reactions.

Fragrance allergens

The EU singles out these substances because some people are allergic to them. People who know they react to one can use this list to check a label.

A group is a fact about the ingredient, not a judgement of it.

What official sources say

Worth knowing · The pure substance, EU

As a pure substance it is suspected of causing harm to fertility or the unborn child (EU harmonised classification). How much a product contains matters.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated text, Annex VI Part 3 Table 3 (harmonised classifications), retrieved 2026-10-09

Worth knowing · The pure substance, EU

As a pure substance it may cause an allergic skin reaction (EU harmonised classification). How much a product contains matters.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated text, Annex VI Part 3 Table 3 (harmonised classifications), retrieved 2026-10-09

Worth knowing · Cosmetics, EU

A fragrance allergen: EU labels must name it above 0.001 % in leave-on and 0.01 % in rinse-off products.

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III: list of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down (CosIng), retrieved 2026-10-09

Worth knowing · The pure substance, EU

As a pure substance it is harmful by its classification (acute or organ toxicity) (EU harmonised classification). How much a product contains matters.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated text, Annex VI Part 3 Table 3 (harmonised classifications), retrieved 2026-10-09

Worth knowing · The pure substance, EU

As a pure substance it is hazardous to the environment (EU harmonised classification). How much a product contains matters.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated text, Annex VI Part 3 Table 3 (harmonised classifications), retrieved 2026-10-09

Restricted in certain uses · Cosmetics, EU

Allowed in EU cosmetics only within set limits and conditions (Annex III, entry 324).

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III: list of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down (CosIng), retrieved 2026-10-09

A label gives no amounts, so none of this says a product is unsafe.