Roll Call

“Farnesol?”Here!

FragranceConditioning agentVaries by source

Hasn’t appeared in a scanned product yet.

In personal care

A sesquiterpene alcohol found naturally in many essential oils, including rose, citronella, and neroli. It is also made synthetically for use in fragrance.

Why it’s used

It contributes a soft, floral scent on its own and is used to round out other fragrance notes. It also has some antimicrobial properties, which is why it sometimes shows up in deodorants.

What the evidence says

Farnesol is one of 26 fragrance allergens the EU requires to be named on labels when present above a set concentration, because it can cause allergic skin reactions in a minority of already-sensitized people. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel has found it safe as used in cosmetics.

Context

The EU labeling requirement applies above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, reflecting that allergic reactions are a minority outcome tied to prior sensitization rather than a general hazard.

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