Is Citronellol safe in cosmetics?
Citronellol has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted.
Citronellol
Also known as: 3,7-Dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol, 6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, beta-Citronellol, 4-01-00-02188, BRN 1721507 (+6 more)
INCI: CITRONELLOL
Citronellol (CAS 106-22-9) is a cosmetic fragrance functioning as fragrance; antimicrobial. NOAEL 50 mg/kg bw/day (PDF-verified against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max Declarable EU allergen; labelling required >10 ppm leave-on / >100 ppm rinse-off under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545; IFRA restrictions apply. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 106-22-9 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
fragrance; antimicrobial
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
Declarable EU allergen; labelling required >10 ppm leave-on / >100 ppm rinse-off under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545; IFRA restrictions apply
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted; RIFM-assessed; naturally occurring in rose, geranium, and citrus oils
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Citronellol.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Citronellol across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Citronellol based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Sensitization Rate
low
Allergen Class
fragrance
EU Allergen Listed
yes
Patch Test Positive Rate
0.8%
Cross-reactivity Group
fragrance-mix-II
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis
IFRA Restricted
— max 1.8% in finished products
Source: ESSCA/IVDK
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Citronellol, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
16-28%
Penetration Level
epidermis
Penetration Depth
epidermis/dermis
Molecular Weight
156.3 Da
Log P
3.4
Systemic Absorption
yes
Topical Bioavailability
12-24%
Safety Margin Factor
high
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: SCCS/1459/11, IFRA
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
5 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOEL | =50 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | EFSA |
| LD50 | =2650 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | =3450 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | =2650 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | - | ChemIDplus |
| LD50 | =3450 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ChemIDplus |
Sensitization AOP Dashboard
Adverse Outcome Pathway data across 5 assays (DPRA, KeratinoSens, hCLAT, LLNA, NESIL) aggregated from public sources.
DPRA Cys %
14.4%
DPRA Lys %
0%
KeratinoSens IC50
375 µM
hCLAT CV75
92.6 µg/mL
LLNA EC3
43.5%
NESIL
3724 µg/cm²
LLNA: Weak (1B)
GHS: 1B
Human: positive
Source: LLNA: Kern et al. (2010); DPRA: Urbisch et al. 2015 [DOI:10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.12.008]; KS: Urbisch et al. 2015 [DOI:10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.12.008]; hCLAT: Urbisch et al. 2015 [DOI:10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.12.008]; HPPT: [103] Greif N (1967): Cutaneous safety of fragrance material as measured by the maximization test.
HRIPT Human Patch Test Studies
4 human repeat insult patch tests aggregated from dermatological literature.
| Test Type | N | Sensitized | Dose µg/cm² | NESIL µg/cm² | Potency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIPT | 101 | 0 | 29525 | 29525 | non-sensitizer |
| HMT | - | 0 | 3724.14 | - | - |
| HRIPT | - | 0 | 29527.56 | - | - |
| OECD_DA_Human | - | 0 | - | - | Non-sensitizer |
Endocrine Disruptor Evidence (Expanded)
Cross-referenced EDC classifications, mechanism data, and dose-response evidence from EDLists, SIN List, and cosmetic-specific detail sources.
Cosmetic-Specific Mechanism
Category: fragrance
Receptor targets: ERα (limited)
LOEC: 100 µM
EU status: allowed (allergen labeling)
weak modulator
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1,000 - 10,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE; GROUP
SVHC Candidate
No
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Restricted (Fragrance Allergen) · max >0.001% leave-on / >0.01% rinse-off requires labeling
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (1)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCC | restricted | 0.001 | Leave-on products |
Expanded Dermal Absorption Data
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
Aggregated DA Values (1 records across 5 sources)
| Type | DA % | Method | Skin Model | SCCS Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measured_in_vitro | 3.8-4.7 | In vitro; flow-through diffusion cells; [14C]-labelled | Human cadaver skin; occluded | Gilpin et al. 2010 (Dermatitis) (2010) |
IFRA Concentration Limits (12 Product Categories)
International Fragrance Association standards per product category. Restriction: Restriction. Effective: 2021-02-10.
| Category | Max % | Category | Max % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Lip products) | 0.4% | 7a (Deodorant – not spray) | 0.8% |
| 2 (Body spray) | 0.12% | 7b (Deodorant spray) | 0.8% |
| 3 (Body cream) | 0.4% | 8 (Face cream) | 0.13% |
| 4 (Fine fragrance) | 1.6% | 9 (Soap) | 2.0% |
| 5a (Body lotion) | 0.4% | 10a (Household – non-spray) | 2.0% |
| 5b (Face cream leave-on) | 0.4% | 10b (Household – spray) | No Restriction% |
| 5c (Hand cream) | 0.4% | 11a (Intimate – leave-on) | 0.13% |
| 5d (Baby cream) | 0.13% | 11b (Intimate – rinse) | 0.13% |
| 6 (Mouthwash) | 0.4% | 12 (Not for consumer exposure) | No Restriction% |
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Cream | 0.001–0.3 | 1 | CIR/VCRP |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
allergen_detail
{"eu_allergen_listed": "yes", "allergen_class": "fragrance", "cross_reactivity_group": "fragrance-mix-II", "patch_test_frequency_pct": "0.8", "sensitization_rate": "low", "common_reaction_type": "contact-dermatitis", "ifra_restricted": "yes", "ifra_max_level_pct": "1.8", "source": "ESSCA/IVDK"}
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "0.01", "max_concentration_pct": "0.5", "typical_concentration_pct": "0.2", "product_type": "Body Lotion", "function_at_concentration": "Fragrance component, rose-like", "source": "EU Cosmetics Regulation (labeling required)"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "mid-range", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "40", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "75", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "0", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "0", "supply_chain_volatility": "medium", "primary_source_region": "China/India", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "50", "seasonal_price_variation": "medium", "commodity_or_specialty": "specialty", "substitute_ingredients": "Gera…
deodorant
{"cas_number": "106-22-9", "ingredient_class": "antimicrobial_deodorant", "mechanism_of_action": "bacterial_growth_inhibition", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "6-10", "odor_reduction_pct": "30-50", "bacteriostatic": "yes", "bactericidal": "yes", "target_bacteria": "limited", "microbiome_impact": "selective", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by …
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "156.3", "log_p_value": "3.4", "skin_penetration_level": "epidermis", "penetration_depth": "epidermis/dermis", "absorption_pct": "16-28", "systemic_absorption": "yes", "penetration_enhancer": "yes", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "neutral", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "12-24", "safety_margin_factor": "high", "source": "SCCS/1…
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "yes", "biodegradation_days": "14-28", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "moderate", "coral_reef_safe": "yes", "marine_toxicity": "moderate aquatic toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "toxic to fish", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmental": …
fragrance
{"cas_number": "106-22-9", "ingredient_class": "natural_isolate", "chemical_class": "terpene", "odor_family": "floral", "odor_description": "Fresh rosy, citrus-like, slightly grassy", "odor_strength": "medium", "odor_tenacity_hours": "3.0", "top_note": "yes", "heart_note": "yes", "base_note": "no", "blending_factor_1_10": "7.0", "threshold_of_detection_ppb": "18.0", "molecular_weight_Da": "156.27"…
fragrance_ifra
{"cas_number": "106-22-9", "ifra_amendment_number": "49", "ifra_restriction_type": "Restricted", "ifra_max_use_level_category_1_pct": "0.13", "ifra_max_use_level_category_4_pct": "2.1", "ifra_max_use_level_category_7_pct": "0.30", "ifra_max_use_level_category_11_pct": "0.060", "eu_allergen_declaration_required": "No", "eu_26_allergens_list": "No", "sccs_opinion_available": "Yes", "sensitization_po…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Biocide
Deodorizer
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Regulatory List Membership (6)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Consumer Product Chemical
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Citronellol.
Regulatory Flags
allergen-eu
sensitization-risk
eu-labelling-required
ifra-restricted
original-26-allergen
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Citronellol by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
9
Lowest NOAEL
100 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
ECHA_REACH_reach_study_results_dossiers_23-05-2023.zip
Dermal Absorption
View details ->| Absorption % | Method | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8-4.7 | In vitro; flow-through diffusion cells; [14C]-labelled | 3:1 DEP/ethanol |
Known Synonyms
3,7-Dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol
6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-
beta-Citronellol
4-01-00-02188
BRN 1721507
EINECS 203-375-0
UNII-565OK72VNF
EINECS 247-737-6
Citronellol, dl-
Elenol
Rhodinol
Chemical Function
Fragrance
Regulatory Lists
air; Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; detected; emissions; Europe
Europe
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
IFRA Transparency
Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; detected; Europe; Vehicle - car interior - auto air freshener
Europe; Personal care - body hygiene - hand soap
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - specialized bath products - bath salts
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - general moisturizing - hand/body lotion
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care
children; detected; Europe; Personal care - body hygiene - body wash; Personal care - body hygiene - hand soap; Personal care - fragrance; Personal care - general moisturizing - hand/body lotion; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo
children; detected; Europe; Personal care
detected; Europe; Personal care - make-up and related
detected; Europe; Personal care - make-up and related
Cleaning products and household care - laundry and fabric treatment - laundry stain remover; detected; Europe
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
CITRONELLOL
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL395827
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Citronellol allowed in the EU?
Citronellol EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: Declarable EU allergen; labelling required >10 ppm leave-on / >100 ppm rinse-off under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545; IFRA restrictions apply. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Citronellol do in cosmetics?
Citronellol functions as: fragrance; antimicrobial. It is classified as a Fragrance in our database. CAS number: 106-22-9.
Is Citronellol used outside cosmetics?
Citronellol also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Citronellol compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
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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