Fragrance allergen

Isoeugenyl Acetate

Isoeugenyl acetate is the acetate ester of isoeugenol, a white crystalline material with a sweet, spicy, powdery carnation scent. Its listed cosmetic function is perfuming. The EU added it to its list of named fragrance allergens in 2023.

Formula
C12H14O3
Molar mass
206.24 g/mol
CAS
93-29-8

Where it comes from

PubChem records isoeugenyl acetate as reported in Valeriana officinalis and Foeniculum vulgare. Oxford Biosciences describes it as the acetate of isoeugenol, and JECFA describes it as white crystals with a spicy, clove-like aroma.

Smell and use

Sweet, spicy and powdery, with floral carnation and balsamic tones. The Good Scents Company lists sweet, spicy, powdery, floral, carnation and balsam. JECFA describes a spicy, clove-like aroma.

Its listed odour carries carnation and spice notes: Tadimety Aromatics describes it as sweet, fruity and balsamic with carnation notes. The SCCS cites a study that found high levels of it in several eau de parfum, eau de toilette and aftershave lotions. Its listed cosmetic function is perfuming.

On the label

Named on 3% of the 6,851 perfume ingredient lists we hold (181 perfumes).

EU
Annex III, entry 370. 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.

IFRA's index lists a Restriction standard for isoeugenyl acetate, published in 2023. The SCCS says enzymes in the skin break it down to give isoeugenol. Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 added it to the labelled allergen list. One industry source says Great Britain has not adopted this expansion.

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 3% of 4,889
  • Eau de toilette 1% of 1,227
  • Extrait 2% of 341
  • Parfum 12% of 194
  • Cologne 1% of 114
  • Body spray 5% 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 Isoeugenyl Acetate that also name each of these.

Perfumes whose box names it

Common questions

What does isoeugenyl acetate smell like?

Sweet, spicy and powdery with floral carnation and balsamic tones. JECFA describes a spicy, clove-like aroma, and The Good Scents Company lists carnation among the descriptors.

How is isoeugenyl acetate related to isoeugenol?

It is the acetate ester of isoeugenol. The SCCS says enzymes in the skin break isoeugenyl acetate down to give isoeugenol, so it treats the two as related.

Why is isoeugenyl acetate on my perfume label?

Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 added it to the list of fragrance allergens that must be named. It is listed above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products.