Fragrance allergen

Bitter almond

Benzaldehyde is the simplest aromatic aldehyde and the smell of bitter almond. It occurs in over 100 plant species and is made on a large scale from toluene. It is used as an odorant and flavouring and as a chemical intermediate. The EU added it to the named fragrance allergen list in 2023.

Formula
C7H6O
Molar mass
106.12 g/mol
CAS
100-52-7

Where it comes from

Benzaldehyde has been detected in over 100 plant species and is a major constituent of cranberry aroma. Free benzaldehyde is reported in hyacinth, citronella, orris, cinnamon, sassafras, labdanum and patchouli oils. Most of the world's synthetic supply comes from air oxidation of toluene, and some is made by alkaline hydrolysis of benzal chloride.

Smell and use

The classic bitter almond smell. Chemical records describe it as the characteristic odour of almond oil and an odour resembling bitter almond oil.

Benzaldehyde has a role as a flavouring agent and a fragrance, and is used as an odorant and flavouring chemical. Its single largest use is making benzyl alcohol by hydrogenation. A cosmetics review reported a top use level of 0.5% in perfumes.

On the label

Named on 4% of the 6,851 perfume ingredient lists we hold (274 perfumes).

Printed as
Benzaldehyde
EU
Annex III, entry 330. Must be named above 0.001% in leave-on products (0.01% rinse-off).
Great Britain
Not on Great Britain's list, so a GB label need not name it. The EU list does.

Benzaldehyde is among the allergens added to the EU labelled list by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. From 31 July 2026 non-compliant products may no longer be placed on the EU market, and from 31 July 2028 non-compliant products already on the market may no longer be made available. The SCCS opinion SCCS/1459/11 (2012) places it in its lowest band of established contact allergens in humans. IFRA gives 0.25% for fine fragrances. One industry source says Great Britain has not adopted the expansion (position as at June 2026).

A list that does not name it does not prove it is absent: brands only have to name it above the threshold.

Frequency by concentration

  • Eau de parfum 4% of 4,889
  • Eau de toilette 2% of 1,227
  • Extrait 5% of 341
  • Parfum 15% of 194
  • Cologne 1% of 114
  • Body spray 14% of 42
  • Other 0% of 27

Share of the perfumes we hold a list for, in each concentration.

Named alongside

Share of the lists naming Bitter almond that also name each of these.

Notes whose materials include it

Perfumes whose box names it

Common questions

What does benzaldehyde smell like?

Bitter almond. Chemical records describe a characteristic odour of almond oil and an odour resembling oil of bitter almond. It is also used as an odorant and flavouring chemical.

Is benzaldehyde natural or synthetic?

Both. It occurs in over 100 plant species, including cranberry, and in oils such as hyacinth and patchouli. Synthetic benzaldehyde is made mainly by air oxidation of toluene; alkaline hydrolysis of benzal chloride is another reported route.

Why is benzaldehyde on my perfume label?

Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 added it to the list of fragrance allergens that must be named when present above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. The SCCS 2012 opinion also lists it among established contact allergens in humans.