CosmeticBet
Scent

Linalool

INCI: LINALOOL

A common scent molecule that turns allergenic in air.

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C10H18O154.25 g/mol
oxygencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 6549

How common

All products30%
In deodorants59%
In conditioners48%
In shampoos47%

4,415 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 7 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • One of the most common fragrance terpenes in everyday products.

    SourceHide
    Limonene and linalool are among the most common fragrance terpenes used in everyday products.[1] Review · 2022 · open source

Why it is in products

  • For its scent: it is a fragrance ingredient.

    SourceHide
    Limonene and linalool are among the most common fragrance terpenes used in everyday products.[1] Review · 2022 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • In air it oxidises into hydroperoxides that cause skin allergy: 5.9% of 4,731 patients tested in the UK, and 7.0% in a Swedish series, reacted to oxidised linalool.

    Well established4 sourcesHide
    They are pre-haptens, forming hydroperoxides (Lim-OOHs, Lin-OOHs) upon oxidation and inducing frequent positive patch test reactions in patients with dermatitis[1] Review · 2022 · open source
    281 (5·9%) to hydroperoxides of linalool 1·0% pet.[2] Study · 2014 · open source
    4731 consecutive patients in 13 U.K. dermatology departments[2] Study · 2014 · open source
    The prevalence rates of contact allergy to ox. linalool and ox. limonene were 7.0% and 5.1%, respectively.[3] Study · 2022 · open source

Where it works

Works insidethe product

In the product, for the smell; the allergy, when it happens, is in the skin.

SourceHide
Limonene and linalool are among the most common fragrance terpenes used in everyday products.[1] Review · 2022 · open source

Rules

European Union

  • Must be named on the label when it passes 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products, even inside a fragrance.

    SourceHide
    Linalool 78-70-6 201-134-4 The presence of the substance must be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1)(g) when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products[4] EU law · 2026 · open source

United States

  • It can be listed simply as part of “Fragrance”.

    SourceHide
    But under U.S. regulations, fragrance and flavor ingredients can be listed simply as “Fragrance” or “Flavor.”[5] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

Sources

  1. Limonene and linalool hydroperoxides review: Pros and cons for routine patch testing Ogueta IA et al., Contact dermatitis, 2022Review
  2. Allergy to oxidized limonene and linalool is frequent in the U.K Audrain H et al., The British journal of dermatology, 2014Study
  3. Contact allergy to oxidized linalool and oxidized limonene: Patch testing in consecutive patients with dermatitis Sukakul T et al., Contact dermatitis, 2022Study
  4. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 18 May 2026 Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex/Cellar), 2026EU law
  5. Fragrances in Cosmetics | FDA US Food and Drug Administration

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.