Navigating Fragrance Allergens - EU26

Understanding the EU's List, Its Impact on US Cosmetics, and the SkinSAFE Solution

By SkinSAFE Team
Jun 06, 2023
List of EU 26 Fragrance Allergens

The cosmetics landscape can often feel like a labyrinth, especially for those with sensitive skin. Amidst the vast array of ingredients, fragrance allergens stand out due to their potential to cause allergies. This article aims to demystify the European Union (EU)'s list of 26 fragrance allergens, discuss their impending implications in the US cosmetics industry, and explore how SkinSAFE, an innovative platform developed in partnership with the Mayo Clinic, can empower consumers to make informed skincare decisions.

Understanding the EU Regulation 1223/2009: The cornerstone of our discussion is the EU Regulation 1223/2009. This regulation, which applies to cosmetics products sold in EU markets, mandates the declaration of any of the 26 recognized allergenic substances on the product's ingredient list. These substances, whether sourced from synthetic fragrances or natural essential oils/extracts, must be listed if present at levels of 0.01% in rinse-off cosmetics, such as soap, shower gel, and shampoo, or 0.001% in leave-on cosmetics, including cream, lotion, and tonics.

How the EU Determines Fragrance Allergens: Determining a substance as a fragrance allergen is a complex process involving scientific research, clinical studies, and regulatory review. The EU’s list of 26 fragrance allergens was developed based on a combination of these factors.

  1. Scientific Research: Initial studies are conducted to understand the chemical properties of a substance and its potential to cause an allergic reaction, often using in vitro methods or animal models.
  2. Clinical Studies: Subsequent clinical studies involve patch testing, where small amounts of the substance are applied to the skin under medical supervision to observe the reaction.
  3. Review of Reported Allergic Reactions: Real-world data on allergic reactions reported by consumers or healthcare professionals is also taken into account.
  4. Regulatory Review: A panel of scientific experts performs a detailed evaluation of all available data, considering factors like the severity of allergic reactions, the number of people affected, and the levels of the substance typically found in cosmetic products.

The EU's list of 26 fragrance allergens was developed based on this thorough and rigorous process, and it can be updated as new scientific research becomes available. This careful, science-based approach ensures that the list provides the most accurate and up-to-date information to protect consumers and help them make informed choices about the cosmetic products they use.

Implications for the US Cosmetics Market: The EU's list of 26 fragrance allergens is now making its way across the Atlantic and is set to have significant implications for the US cosmetics industry. Manufacturers will need to be vigilant about their formulations and consumers more aware of the ingredients in their products. The implementation of these regulations in the US represents a move towards greater transparency and consumer safety in the cosmetics industry.

The Importance of the EU 26 Fragrance Allergens: These 26 fragrance allergens, identified by the EU, represents a significant measure to protect consumers, particularly those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. These substances can trigger allergic reactions, leading to skin irritations, redness, and other discomforts. By mandating the listing of these allergens on product packaging, consumers can make informed decisions about the products they use and avoid ingredients that may cause adverse reactions.

A Closer Look at Specific Substances

Methyl 2-octynoate

EU 26 FragranceShort Description
Alpha-isomethyl iononeAlpha-isomethyl ionone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient, also known by other names, such as 3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one or amyl cinnamic aldehyde. It is often described as a sweet, floral, and powdery fragrance with woody undertones. It is commonly used in a wide range of perfumes, lotions, soaps, and other personal care products to add a sweet scent.
Amyl cinnamal (Jasmonal A)Amyl cinnamal, also known as Jasmonal A, is a fragrance ingredient commonly used in a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products, from soaps and shampoos to creams, lotions, and perfumes. It's included in a list of 26 substances recognized by the European Union that must be explicitly listed on product labels if present above certain concentrations due to the potential for causing allergic reactions in some people.
Amyl cinnamyl alcoholAmylcinnamyl Alcohol, also called alpha-amyl cinnamic alcohol, is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a light floral odor. In cosmetics and personal care products, it is used as a fragrance ingredient in a wide variety of products, including bath products, soaps and detergents, perfumes and colognes, skin care products and hair care products.
Anisyl alcoholAnise Alcohol, also called anisyl alcohol, is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid having a pleasant floral odor. In cosmetics and personal care products, Anise Alcohol is used in skin care products.
Benzyl alcoholBenzyl Alcohol is an organic alcohol found in many fruits and teas. Benzyl Alcohol has a hydroxyl group (-OH), while the related compound, Benzoic Acid, has a carboxyl group (-COOH). Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Benzoate, and Potassium Benzoate are salts of Benzoic Acid. Benzyl Benzoate is an ester of Benzyl Alcohol and Benzoic Acid. Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its salts, and Benzyl Benzoate are used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, including baby products, bath products, soaps and detergents, eye makeup, blushers, cleansing products, makeup products, as well as hair, nail and skin care products.
Benzyl benzoateBenzyl Alcohol is an organic alcohol found in many fruits and teas. Benzyl Alcohol has a hydroxyl group (-OH), while the related compound, Benzoic Acid, has a carboxyl group (-COOH). Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Benzoate and Potassium Benzoate are salts of Benzoic Acid. Benzyl Benzoate is an ester of Benzyl Alcohol and Benzoic Acid. Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its salts, and Benzyl Benzoate are used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, including baby products, bath products, soaps and detergents, eye makeup, blushers, cleansing products, makeup products, as well as hair, nail and skin care products.
Benzyl cinnamateBenzyl Cinnamate is a white to pale yellow solid or crystal substance that has a sweet balsamic odor. Benzyl Cinnamate is used as a fragrance ingredient in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, including aftershaves, perfumes and colognes, skincare, and hair care products.
Benzyl salicylateBenzyl Salicylate is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet floral aroma. In cosmetics and personal care products, Benzyl Salicylate is used in the formulation of bath products, bubble baths, cleansing products, hair care products, makeup, moisturizers, perfumes and colognes, shampoos, skin care products, and suntan products. Benzyl Salicylate functions as a fragrance ingredient and as an ultraviolet light absorber.
Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial)Butylphenyl methylpropional, also known as Lilial, is a synthetic fragrance component with a floral scent reminiscent of lily of the valley, and is used in a variety of products such as soaps, shampoos, lotions, and perfumes.
CinnamalCinnamal, also called cinnamaldehyde, is a yellow oily liquid that gives cinnamon its spice. Cinnamal is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, bath products, dentifrices, lipsticks, moisturizers, mouthwashes, and breath fresheners in cosmetics and personal care products. Cinnamal functions as a fragrance ingredient, a flavoring agent or a denaturant
Cinnamyl alcoholCinnamyl Alcohol is a pale yellow liquid with the odor of hyacinth. In cosmetics and personal care products, Cinnamyl Alcohol is used in the formulation of bath products, body and hand products, perfumes, tonics, and other hair grooming aids.
CitralCitral is a component of lemongrass oil and verbena, lemon myrtle, lemon, and orange oils. In cosmetics and personal care products, Citral is used in the formulation of many types of products, including aftershave lotions, bath products, moisturizers, perfumes and colognes, skin care products, and suntan products.
CitronellolCitronellol is a colorless oily liquid with a floral smell suggestive of a rose. In cosmetics and personal care products, Citronellol is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, bath products, bubble baths, cleansing products, hair care products, lipsticks, moisturizers, perfumes and colognes, and skin care products.
CoumarinCoumarin is a crystalline white solid with a sweet, vanilla, nutty scent. When highly diluted, the scent is reminiscent of freshly-mown hay. In cosmetics and personal care products, Coumarin is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, bath products, bubble baths, cleansing products, moisturizers, skin care products, and suntan products.
EugenolEugenol is a clear to pale yellow liquid that has a spicy clove-like aroma. Eugenol, a naturally occurring substance found in many plants, is used to make fragrances and flavors. In cosmetics and personal care products, Eugenol is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, bath products, bubble baths, fragrances, hair care products, moisturizers, shampoos, and skin care products. Eugenol functions as a fragrance ingredient and as a denaturant.
FarnesolFarnesol is a colorless, oily liquid with a delicate sweet odor. In cosmetics and personal care products, Farnesol is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, cleansing products, colognes, deodorants, eye lotions, face powders, foot powders, fragrances, hair care products, moisturizers, shaving products, and skin care products.
GeraniolGeraniol is clear to pale-yellow oil with a rose-like odor. In addition to being used as a fragrance ingredient, Geraniol is also used in flavors such as peach, raspberry, plum, citrus fruits, watermelon, pineapple and blueberry. In cosmetics and personal care products, Geraniol is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, bath products, bubble baths, hair products, lipsticks, moisturizers, perfumes and colognes, skin care products, and suntan products.
Hexyl cinnamal (Jasmonal h)Hexyl cinnamal is an ingredient used in many perfumes and often seen in fragranced skin care products. Hexyl cinnamal imparts a jasmine-like scent. It’s considered a skin sensitizer, which is why it must be called out on an ingredient statement, whereas in the past, a cosmetics company could lump ingredients like hexyl cinnamal into the catchall term “fragrance.”
HydroxycitronellalHydroxycitronellal is used as a fragrance ingredient and fragrance enhancer in many cosmetic products*. Hydroxycitronellal, in its natural form, can be found in plants such as lavender.
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (Lyral)Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC)-Lyral® is a widely used synthetic fragrance found in personal care and household products. It is an aldehyde, lipophilic enough to penetrate the skin, and is a frequent cause of contact sensitization.
IsoeugenolIsoeugenol is a pale yellow liquid with a spicy, carnation-like odor. In cosmetics and personal care products, Isoeugenol is used in the formulation of perfumes, shaving products, and skin care products.
LimoneneLimonene is a colorless liquid with a light, fresh, and sweet citrus odor used to make fragrances and flavors. It is a naturally occurring substance found in many citrus fruits. In cosmetics and personal care products, Limonene is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, bath products, bubble baths, cleansing products, eye shadows, hair products, lipsticks, mascara, moisturizers, perfumes, and colognes, shampoos, skin care products, and suntan products.
LinaloolLinalool is a colorless to very pale yellow liquid with a floral smell similar to that of bergamot oil and French lavender. It is a naturally occurring substance that is used to make fragrances and flavors. In cosmetics and personal care products, Linalool is used in the formulation of aftershave lotions, bath products, bubble baths, cleansing products, hair care products, lipsticks, moisturizers, perfumes and colognes, shampoos, skin care products, and suntan products.
Methyl 2-octanoateMethyl 2-octanoate, also known by other names, such as oct-2-vinyl acetate and oct-2-ynoic acid methyl ester, is a synthetic fragrance component commonly used in the fragrance industry. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid used to add a fruity, floral, and green/woody aroma in perfumes and colognes. It is also used in the flavoring industry to provide fruity or "green" tasting notes to food and beverages.
Evernia furfuracea (Treemoss) extractTree moss extract is a naturally derived ingredient extracted from tree moss that typically grows on pine and fir trees. It’s added to fragrances to give them a woodsy note.
Evernia prunastri (Oakmoss) extractEvernia prunastri, or oakmoss, is a lichen that provides musky and woody scents in iconic fragrances formulated by French perfume houses.


The SkinSAFE Perspective: SkinSAFE, a groundbreaking platform developed in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, leverages real science and real-time clinical data to provide accurate, unbiased product recommendations tailored to individual skin concerns or needs. It was designed to help shoppers make smarter, healthier product choices for their skin.

SkinSAFE 100: The Gold Standard for Sensitive Skin: Products bearing the SkinSAFE 100 mark have been verified by a team of experts to be free from commonly known irritants and allergens, including the EU 26 fragrance allergens. These products are safe and suitable for even the most sensitive skin. By using SkinSAFE 100-rated products, over 49% of contact skin allergies can be avoided.

SkinSAFE Fragrance-Free: This category includes products that are free of fragrances and the most common allergy-causing botanicals, such as balsam of Peru, cinnamic aldehyde, propolis (bee glue), and many more. Choosing these products automatically excludes all fragrance-like ingredients, including the EU 26 allergens.

SkinSAFE Fragrance Allergen Free (EU26): The Fragrance Allergen Free category comprises products that do not contain any of the EU's 26 identified fragrance allergens. While these products may contain fragrances, they are free from the specific allergens listed by the EU, offering an additional option for consumers who wish to avoid these particular substances.

Trusted Choice™: The Trusted Choice™ program for brands further refines this standard by requiring manufacturers to provide scientific and clinical evidence to support product use and safety. Products that have been reviewed by the SkinSAFE team and meet the Trusted Choice™ standards for health and safety have undergone a rigorous data review process. This includes skin patch testing, clinical and home use testing on sensitive skin, limitation on or absence of the most common fragrance allergens, and purity of ingredient assessments.

Conclusion: Understanding the EU 26 fragrance allergens is crucial to skincare, particularly for those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. As these regulations find their way into the US cosmetics market, this understanding becomes even more essential. While this guide offers an introduction, a comprehensive understanding may require further research or consultation with skincare professionals. Consumers are encouraged to contact cosmetic manufacturers or regulatory bodies for more detailed information. Ultimately, being informed about these allergens and utilizing resources like SkinSAFE empowers consumers to make better choices, protect their skin health, and navigate the ever-changing landscape of skincare with confidence and ease.

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