Benzyl Alcohol: Allergen of the Year 2026.

Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol widely used as a preservative, solvent, and fragrance ingredient in personal care products, topical medications, and injectable formulations. Although generally considered safe, benzyl alcohol can cause allergic contact dermatitis, particularly with prolonged or repeated exposure. Despite its widespread use, benzyl alcohol is not included in many standard patch test series, which may result in underrecognition of its role as an allergen. The American Contact Dermatitis Society has named benzyl alcohol the 2026 Allergen of the Year to increase awareness of its allergenic potential and encourage more comprehensive patch testing when clinically indicated.