Is Linalool safe in cosmetics?
Linalool has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Linalool
Also known as: 3,7-Dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol, 3,7-Dimethyl-3-hydroxy-1,6-octadiene, 3,7-Dimethyl-3-ol-1,6-octadiene, Phantol, 1,6-octadien-3-ol, 3,7-dimetil - (+14 more)
INCI: LINALOOL
Linalool (CAS 78-70-6) is a cosmetic fragrance functioning as fragrance; skin-conditioning. NOAEL 117 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max Mandatory individual label declaration above 10 ppm in leave-on products, 100 ppm in rinse-off products (EU 26 allergen list). IFRA 51st Amendment imposes stricter limits on linalool hydroperoxide content in formulations.. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
Function
fragrance; skin-conditioning
Editorial assessment
MODERATE
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
Mandatory individual label declaration above 10 ppm in leave-on products, 100 ppm in rinse-off products (EU 26 allergen list). IFRA 51st Amendment imposes stricter limits on linalool hydroperoxide content in formulations.
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No US federal individual fragrance ingredient disclosure requirement; listed as fragrance only under FDA rules
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Linalool.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Linalool. 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 | 1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS DB |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes and skin.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance may have effects on the liver.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Linalool across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Linalool based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Sensitization Rate
moderate
Allergen Class
fragrance
EU Allergen Listed
yes
Patch Test Positive Rate
3.5%
Cross-reactivity Group
terpene-hydroperoxide-group
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis
IFRA Restricted
Source: ESSCA/NACDG
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Linalool, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
18-30%
Penetration Level
epidermis
Penetration Depth
epidermis/dermis
Molecular Weight
154.3 Da
Log P
2.97
Systemic Absorption
yes
Topical Bioavailability
12-25%
Safety Margin Factor
high
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: SCCS Opinion
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
9 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEL | =300 mg/kg-day | Chicken | oral | subchronic | EFSA |
| LEL | =300 mg/kg-day | Pig | oral | subchronic | EFSA |
| LEL | =300 mg/kg-day | Cow Family | oral | subchronic | EFSA |
| NOAEL | =117 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | EFSA |
| NOAEL | =160 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | HESS |
| LD50 | =3000 mg/kg | Mouse | oral | - | ChemIDplus |
| LD50 | =5610 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | - | ChemIDplus |
| LD50 | =2790 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ChemIDplus |
| LD50 | =5610 mg/kg | Rat | dermal | - | ChemIDplus |
Sensitization AOP Dashboard
Adverse Outcome Pathway data across 5 assays (DPRA, KeratinoSens, hCLAT, LLNA, NESIL) aggregated from public sources.
DPRA Cys %
0.65%
DPRA Lys %
4.65%
KeratinoSens IC50
2000 µM
hCLAT CV75
290 µg/mL
LLNA EC3
35.5%
NESIL
4966 µg/cm²
LLNA: Weak (1B)
GHS: 1B
Human: positive
Source: LLNA: Gerberick et al. (2005) | Report to RIFM by DSM Nutritional Products (RIFM DB #71508); DPRA: Nukada et al. 2013 [DOI:10.1016/j.tiv.2012.11.006] | Natsch et al. 2013 [DOI:10.1002/jat.2868]; KS: Natsch et al. 2013 [DOI:10.1002/jat.2868]; hCLAT: Ashikaga et al. 2010 [DOI:10.1177/026119291003800403]; HPPT: [103] Greif N (1967): Cutaneous safety of fragrance material as measured by the maximization test.
HRIPT Human Patch Test Studies
5 human repeat insult patch tests aggregated from dermatological literature.
| Test Type | N | Sensitized | Dose µg/cm² | NESIL µg/cm² | Potency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIPT | 119 | 0 | 14999 | 14999 | non-sensitizer |
| HRIPT | - | 0 | 14999 | 14999 | non-sensitizer |
| HMT | - | 0 | 4965.52 | - | - |
| HMT | - | 0 | 5184 | - | - |
| HMT | - | 0 | 12960 | - | - |
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
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE; GROUP
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
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.
SA Saudi SFDA (III - Restricted)
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Restricted (Fragrance Allergen) · max >0.001% leave-on / >0.01% rinse-off requires labeling
India: Restricted
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (2)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU | restricted | - | fragrances |
| 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 | 1.84-14.7 | In vitro; human epidermal membranes; various vehicles | Human epidermal membranes | Int J Pharm 2022; Lalko et al. (RIFM) (2022) |
IFRA Concentration Limits (12 Product Categories)
International Fragrance Association standards per product category. Restriction: Specification. Effective: 2004-01-01.
| Category | Max % | Category | Max % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Lip products) | – | 7a (Deodorant – not spray) | – |
| 2 (Body spray) | – | 7b (Deodorant spray) | – |
| 3 (Body cream) | – | 8 (Face cream) | – |
| 4 (Fine fragrance) | – | 9 (Soap) | – |
| 5a (Body lotion) | – | 10a (Household – non-spray) | – |
| 5b (Face cream leave-on) | – | 10b (Household – spray) | – |
| 5c (Hand cream) | – | 11a (Intimate – leave-on) | – |
| 5d (Baby cream) | – | 11b (Intimate – rinse) | – |
| 6 (Mouthwash) | – | 12 (Not for consumer exposure) | – |
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Cream | 0.001–0.5 | 2 | CIR Safety Assessment |
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)
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Linalool — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
allergen-eu
sensitization-risk
oxidation-sensitive
ifra-restricted
eu-labelling-required
hydroperoxide-forming
original-26-allergen
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
eu_cosing_listed
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Linalool by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS DB
Dermal Absorption
View details ->| Absorption % | Method | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1.84-14.7 | In vitro; human epidermal membranes; various vehicles | EtOH/water, DPG, DEP, petrolatum, mixed |
Known Synonyms
3,7-Dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol
3,7-Dimethyl-3-hydroxy-1,6-octadiene
3,7-Dimethyl-3-ol-1,6-octadiene
Phantol
1,6-octadien-3-ol, 3,7-dimetil -
EC No.: 201-134-4
0-01-00-00462
BRN 1721488
Caswell No. 526A
3,7-Dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol
EINECS 201-134-4
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 128838
FEMA No. 2635
FEMA Number 2635
(+/-)-Linalool
UNII-D81QY6I88E
2,6-Dimethyl-2,7-octadiene-6-ol
2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dien-6-ol
3,7-Dimethyl-1, 6-octadien-3-ol
Chemical Function
Fragrance
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Personal care; restricted
Europe
Cleaning products and household care - laundry and fabric treatment - laundry stain remover; detected; Europe
Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; Europe
air; Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; detected; emissions; Europe
Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; Europe
Cleaning products and household care - laundry and fabric treatment - laundry stain remover; detected; Europe
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
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
LINALOOL
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL25306
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linalool allowed in the EU?
Linalool EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: Mandatory individual label declaration above 10 ppm in leave-on products, 100 ppm in rinse-off products (EU 26 allergen list). IFRA 51st Amendment imposes stricter limits on linalool hydroperoxide content in formulations.. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Linalool do in cosmetics?
Linalool functions as: fragrance; skin-conditioning. It is classified as a Fragrance in our database. CAS number: 78-70-6.
What is the NOAEL for Linalool?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Linalool is 1000 mg/kg bw/day based on a Developmental study via oral route in rat. Source: COSMOS DB.
Is Linalool used outside cosmetics?
Linalool 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 Linalool 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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