Is 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) safe in cosmetics?
4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol)
Also known as: 3-Cyclohexen-1-ol, 4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-, (+)-Terpinen-4-ol, 4-06-00-00250, BRN 1906603, EINECS 209-235-5 (+14 more)
INCI: TERPINEN-4-OL
4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) (CAS 562-74-3) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Fragrance, denaturant, antimicrobial agent. Reported NOAEL =250 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (EFSA); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data.
Function
Fragrance, denaturant, antimicrobial agent
Editorial assessment
GOOD
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted; no specific FDA restriction. CIR assessed as part of Melaleuca alternifolia ingredients
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol). NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =250 mg/kg bw/day | oral: gavage | Rat | reproduction toxicity | EFSA |
Sensitization AOP Dashboard
Adverse Outcome Pathway data across 5 assays (DPRA, KeratinoSens, hCLAT, LLNA, NESIL) aggregated from public sources.
NESIL
3375 µg/cm²
GHS: 1B
Human: positive
Source: HPPT: [650] Epstein WL (1977): Reports to RIFM, 25 February and 19 April, unpublished.
HRIPT Human Patch Test Studies
1 human repeat insult patch test aggregated from dermatological literature.
| Test Type | N | Sensitized | Dose µg/cm² | NESIL µg/cm² | Potency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMT | - | 0 | 3375 | - | - |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Deodorizer
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Regulatory List Membership (4)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Consumer Product Chemical
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
potential-allergen
fragrance-component
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
250 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
250 mg/kg bw/day
EFSA
Known Synonyms
3-Cyclohexen-1-ol, 4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-
(+)-Terpinen-4-ol
4-06-00-00250
BRN 1906603
EINECS 209-235-5
EINECS 248-910-9
FEMA No. 2248
1-para-Menthen-4-ol
(+-)-p-Menth-1-en-4-ol
Terpinenolu-4
UNII-L65MV77ZG6
1-Isopropyl-4-methyl-3-cyclohexen-1-ol
1-Menthene-4-ol
1-Methyl-4-isopropyl-1-cyclohexen-4-ol
1-p-Menthen-4-ol
FEMA 2248
Origanol
Terpene-4-ol
Terpin-4-en-1-ol
Chemical Function
Deodorizer
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Regulatory Lists
SCIL (9/2019)
IFRA Transparency
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
consumer_product
Europe
Canada; pharmaceutical
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
TERPINEOL
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL507795
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
4-CARVOMENTHENOL
ADI
No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent mg/kg bw
Food Category
flavoring
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) allowed in the EU?
4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) do in cosmetics?
4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) functions as: Fragrance, denaturant, antimicrobial agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 562-74-3.
What is the NOAEL for 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol)?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) is =250 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction toxicity study via oral: gavage route in Rat. Source: EFSA.
Is 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) used outside cosmetics?
4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) also appears in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check 4-Terpineol (Terpinen-4-ol) compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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