KNOWN DATA TO-DATE
In fact there is not one ingredient but two: Dehydroacetic Acid on the one hand and Benzyl Alcohol on the other hand.
This presentation (the both substances bound by a "and" or with a "&") can be seen when these two compounds are enclosed in the same raw material, delivered as it is by a supplier to a cosmetic maker. But this way to declare them is not satisfying, as for regulation but as informations for the consumers too.
Respecting the regulation which plans the declaration of the ingredients in descending order of weight, the two ingredients (even if they constitute a single raw material) have to be declared separetly and placed according to their respective percentages where there are in the formula of the finished cosmetic product. The maker has to do some calculations of course, but this is th law and there are reasons.
Because this "detail" can be important. Indeed, if some raw materials haven't particular issue, there are others that can be more or less irritating ou allergenic.
This is precisely the case here with Benzyl Alcohol, which in addition to its preservative properties has also a knwon allergenic potential. Thus it is in the list of the 26 aromatic allergen compulsory labelling molecules. The amount in the formula is specially important, since depending on it is more or less important the substance can (or can't) cause undesirable reactions in sensitized persons. Concerned people always enjoy to estimate this point during the reading of the labelling instead of reaction of the skin when the product is used ...
To get informations on each ot these two ingredients, see:
