Ingredient · dataset v56
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
An emollient ester whose only lipid half is a C12-15 fatty alcohol (benzoic acid is no substrate); under the alcohol-inheritance rule it takes the trigger-1 status of its alcohol half, never stricter.
New-rule call (was proposed trigger-2); free C12/C14 alcohols were unjudged until this same round.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Fatty ester
Fatty esters: split by the yeast’s enzymes into edible fats.
Products without this ingredient
- Humane Maximum-Strength Acne Wash 8 oz
- Medix 5.5 Glycolic + Lactic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash 15 oz
- Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash
- Redken Extreme CAT Protein Reconstructing Rinse-Off Treatment Spray
- Morphe Bake & Set Translucent Setting Powder Jumbo
- Molivera Organics Bentonite Clay 16 oz
Related fatty ester
- Ascorbyl Palmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Behenyl Acrylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Behenyl Behenate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Bis-Octyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate/Propanediol Copolymer — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate — No known trigger
- Butyloctyl Salicylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- C14-22 Alcohols — May trigger · Limited evidence
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (limited evidence). That means it belongs to a class the Malassezia yeast is known to feed on — not that every product with it will cause a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
Does C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate as a potential trigger (limited evidence). It belongs to a class Malassezia is known to feed on — not a claim that every product with it causes a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
How confident is this call?
Limited evidence: An emollient ester whose only lipid half is a C12-15 fatty alcohol (benzoic acid is no substrate); under the alcohol-inheritance rule it takes the trigger-1 status of its alcohol half, never stricter.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.