Abstract: A substantially pure benzoic acid ester of isostearyl (C.sub.18) alcohol. The composition of this invention has unique properties in that it is non-greasy, has a low cloud point and pour point, is practically odorless, has low toxicity, and is stable. These properties make such composition useful as a vehicle or carrier, emollient or solubilizer for toiletry and cosmetic formulations, e.g., hair cream, hand cleaner, bath oil, suntan oil, brilliantine, anti-perspirants, perfumes and colognes, cold creams, electric pre-shave, eye and throat oil, fingernail polish, topical pharmaceutical ointments, lipsticks, stick rouge, skin lotions and creams, skin moisturizers, cleansing creams and after bath splash and lotions.

Abstract: The benzoic acid ester of an alcohol which is selected from the group consisting of (A) at least one C.sub.2n branched primary alcohol, wherein n is 5 through 9; (B) at least one C.sub.2m+1 branched or linear primary alcohol, wherein m is 4 through 9; and (C) mixtures comprising at least 40% and preferably at least 60% by weight of the members of (A) and (B), with one or more linear primary alcohols of even carbon number chain length. The benzoic acid esters are useful in skin care compositions, e.g., hand cleaners, bath oils, suntan oils, anti-perspirants, perfumes, colognes, cold creams, electric pre-shaves, eye and throat oils, topical pharmaceutical ointments, lipsticks, stick rouges, lotions, skin moisturizers, cleansing creams or after bath splashes or lotions.

Abstract: A substantially pure benzoic acid ester of a mixture of alcohols. The mixture of alcohols consists essentially of (A) at least one C.sub.12 or C.sub.14 primary alcohol and (B) at least one C.sub.13 or C.sub.15 primary alcohol. The weight ratio of the even carbon number alcohols (A) to the odd carbon number alcohols (B) is from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1, preferably from about 0.5:1 to about 3:1. At least 70% by weight of each alcohol is linear and substantially all of the remainder of each alcohol is branched at the two carbon position. The compositions of this invention have unique properties in that they are substantially non-greasy, lack oiliness and greasiness, have low cloud points and pour points, have a bland odor, low toxicity, and are stable. The properties make such compositions useful as a vehicle or carrier, emollient or solubilizer for toiletry and cosmetic formulations, e.g.

Abstract: A composition of matter, comprising the benzoic acid esters of a mixture of C.sub.12, C.sub.13, C.sub.14 and C.sub.15 linear primary alcohols. The alcohol mixture may comprise by weight from about 13 to 31% of said C.sub.12 alcohol, 28 to 44% of said C.sub.13 alcohol, 17 to 40% of said C.sub.14 alcohol, and 12 to 19% of said C.sub.15 alcohol. The alcohol mixture preferably comprises by weight from about 23 to 31% of said C.sub.12 alcohol, 32 to 44% of said C.sub.13 alcohol, 17 to 23% of said C.sub.14 alcohol, and 12 to 18% of said C.sub.15 alcohol. Compositions in accordance with the invention are useful as diluents, solvents, plasticizers, liquid carriers, and the like.