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List of the 26 Fragrance Allergens

Fulvio Ciccolo

List of the 26 Fragrance Allergens

Fragrance allergens are among more than 2,500 fragrance ingredients are used in perfumes and perfumed consumer goods such as cosmetics, detergents, fabric softeners, and other household products. To give them a specific, usually pleasant smell but they can sometimes cause skin irritations or allergic reactions.

In 2012, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released its scientific opinion on fragrance allergens. The findings deduced that 16% of eczema patients were sensitized to ingredients found in fragrances. From the everyday population, 1-3% of Europeans shows allergic reactions to common fragrance ingredients.

The aforementioned Cosmetic Regulation states that any of the 26 allergens mentioned in Annex III should be mentioned in the ingredients, but only if:

  • Leave-on products (e.g. body lotion, make-up), exceed 0.001% of the total concentration

  • Rinse-off products (e.g. shower gel, shampoo) exceed 0.01% of the total concentration

A list of 26 substances that have to be identified on products to inform consumers was established in 1999 by the European Commission.

Their usage and limit are regulated by IFRA.

  1. Alpha isomethylionone

  2. Amyl cinnamal (Jasmonal A)

  3. Amyl cinnamyl alcohol

  4. Anisyl alcohol

  5. Benzyl alcohol

  6. Benzyl benzoate

  7. Benzyl cinnamate

  8. Benzyl salicylate

  9. Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial)

  10. Cinnamal

  11. Cinnamyl alcohol

  12. Citral

  13. Citronellol

  14. Coumarin

  15. Eugenol

  16. Farnesol

  17. Geraniol

  18. Hexyl cinnamal (Jasmonal h)

  19. Hydroxycitronellal

  20. Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (Lyral)

  21. Isoeugenol

  22. Limonene

  23. Linalool

  24. Methyl 2-octynoate

  25. Evernia furfuracea (Treemoss) extract

  26. Evernia prunastri (Oakmoss) extract

Annex II of the regulation states that over 1300 different substances are prohibited in cosmetic goods. As of 23 August, 2019, Lyral, atranol, and chloroatranol have been added to this list. Of all these substances, the ban of Lyral is causing a stir, as many fragrances contain this chemical. Products with these substances currently on the market may be sold until 23 August, 2021.

External Sources

  • European Chemicals Agency (Agenzia europea delle sostanze chimiche)

    • https://echa.europa.eu

  • https://www.tentamus.com/fragrance-allergen-labelling-cosmetics/

  • Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash