Health risk assessment: Butylphenyl methylpropional in cosmetic products
Please note: As of 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) is the new name for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Research and reports published prior to this date may reference the organisation’s former name.
Summary
The purpose of this report is to summarise generic health risk assessment data for exposure to butylphenyl methylpropional from the use of cosmetic products. This report will only consider domestic, non-occupational, incidental exposure to butylphenyl methylpropional. Butylphenyl methylpropional (commonly known as lilial) is an aromatic aldehyde that is widely used as a fragrance ingredient in many cosmetic products, including perfumes, deodorants and antiperspirants, as a masking agent to reduce and/or inhibit the base product odour while giving a floral scent with a lily-of-the-valley note.