Cinnamyl alcohol (CAL, 3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol) is found mostly in esterized form as a natural component in cinnamon oil obtained from the bark of the Cylonese cinnamon tree. Furthermore, (esterized) CAL is a component of the balsam of Peru from Myroxylon pereirae, of Styrax (balsam) from the wood of Liquidambar orientalis Miller or Liquidambar styraciflua L. and further plant extracts. The regulatory status of CAL includes approval (21 CFR 172.515) by the FDA and Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as flavor ingredient [Number 2294] by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers
Association. CAL included in the Council of Europe
s list of substances which may be used in foodstuffs. CAL have been reported as common component of food occurring mainly in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and spices in varying concentrations. The plant phenolic CAL is used as a fragrance ingredient and has antipyretic and antiproliferative effects. A recent report also demonstrated its vasodilatory activity.

Cetyl alcohol is the 16-carbon alcohol corresponding to palmitic acid, so called because it is isolated from among the hydrolysis products of spermaceti. This medication is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations (e.g., diaper rash, skin burns from radiation therapy). Most emollients can be used safely and effectively with no side effects. However, burning, stinging, redness, or irritation may occur. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

Stearyl Alcohol is long chain fatty alcohol. Stearyl alcohol is prepared from stearic acid or some fats by the process of catalytic hydrogenation. It has low toxicity. Stearyl Alcohol is used in surface-active agents, lubricants, emulsions, resins, and USP ointments and as a substitute for cetyl alcohol and antifoaming agents. Stearyl Alcohol (synthetic) has been approved as a direct food additive (DFA) ingredient, to be used under the same manufacturing practices as the natrual alcohol product. It also has indirect food additive (IFA) status for use in food containers. Stearyl Alcohol is also used as an ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) drugs of the miscellaneous external drug product category. It is considered to be safe at a concentration of 8 percent or less. Stearyl Alcohol is used in cosmetics as an emollient, stabilizer, antifoaming agent, emulsifier, and carrier. It is used as a water in oil (w/o) emulsifier to produce firm cosmetic products at ordinary temperatures.

Nicotinyl alcohol is a direct-acting vasolidator, that may decrease the blood pressure and it is a cholesterol-lowering agent. Nicotinyl alcohol as a tartrate salt led to the efficiency improvements in patients with intermittent claudication. In addition, nicotinyl alcohol alone or associated with other drugs was studied in the treatment of radicular syndromes; and was shown, that the effect had not been due to mechanical compression.

Benzyl benzoate is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2O2CC6H5. It is the ester of benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid. It forms either a viscous liquid or solid flakes and has a weak, sweet-balsamic odor. It occurs in a number of blossoms (e. g. tuberose, hyacinth) and is a component of Balsam of Peru and Tolu balsam. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system. Benzyl benzoate is one of the older preparations used to treat scabies. Scabies is a skin infection caused by the mite sarcoptes scabiei. It is characterised by severe itching (particularly at night), red spots, and may lead to a secondary infection. Benzyl benzoate is lethal to this mite and so is useful in the treatment of scabies. It is also used to treat lice infestation of the head and body. Benzyl benzoate is not the treatment of choice for scabies due to its irritant properties. Benzyl benzoate exerts toxic effects on the nervous system of the parasite, resulting in its death. It is also toxic to mite ova, though its exact mechanism of action is unknown. In vitro, benzyl benzoate has been found to kill the Sarcoptes mite within 5 minutes.

Benzyl acetate is used as a fragrance ingredient and occurs in different plants and fruits, e.g., jasmine, apple, tea, plum, wine grape. It possesses a sweet and pleasant aroma, owing to which, it finds applications in personal hygiene and health care products.

Salicyl alcohol is used as a local anesthetic and antiinflammatory. A light brown crystalline powder, stable, incompatible with acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, strong oxidizing agents. It was found in bark of willow tree family and aspen Populus tremula. It is a well-known allergen in phenol-formaldehyde resins found to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Antioxidant activity of 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol has been reported.