Benzoic acid is a natural ingredient occurring in many foodstuffs and in plant extracts. Benzoic acid, its salts and esters are used as preservatives in cosmetic products, with a maximum concentration of 0.5 %. Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are on the FDA list of substances that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Both may be used as antimicrobial agents, flavouring agents and as adjuvants with a current maximum level of 0.1% in food. Benzoic acid is a constituent of Whitfield Ointment, which is used for the treatment of fungal skin diseases such as tinea, ringworm, and athlete's foot. Adverse effect of Whitfield Ointment: occasionally, a localized mild inflammatory response occurs.

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is an organic compound in the peroxide family. It consists of two benzoyl groups bridged by a peroxide link. It is one of the most important organic peroxides in terms of applications and the scale of its production. Benzoyl peroxide is used as an acne treatment, for bleaching hair and teeth. Adverse reactions are: dryness and urticarial reaction, contact dermatitis, application site burning, application site irritation and skin irritation.

Benzaldehyde is the simplest and possibly the most industrially useful member of the family of aromatic aldehydes. Benzaldehyde exists in nature, primarily in combined forms such as a glycoside in almond, apricot, cherry, and peach seeds. The characteristic benzaldehyde odor of oil of bitter almond occurs because of trace amounts of free benzaldehyde formed by hydrolysis of the glycoside amygdalin. Benzaldehyde is a versatile intermediate because of its reactive aldehyde hydrogen, its carbonyl group, and the benzene ring. Benzaldehyde is formed from phenylpyruvic acid, derived by the aminotransferase activity on phenylalanine, in the presence of high levels of Mn2+, and contributes to the generation of flavor compound during cheese ripening. Benzaldehyde is a synthetic flavoring substance, sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for foods. Benzaldehyde is also recognized as safe for use as a bee repellant in the harvesting of honey. Benzaldehyde's most important use is in organic synthesis, where it is the raw material utilized to produce various aldehydes. Because Benzaldehyde rapidly metabolizes to Benzoic Acid in the skin, the available dermal irritation and sensitization data demonstrating no adverse reactions to Benzoic Acid were considered supportive of the safety of Benzaldehyde.