Fragrance allergen

Terpineol

Terpineol is a pine-and-lilac scented alcohol found in a very large number of essential oils. The name covers a mixture of closely related isomers, mainly alpha-terpineol, and it is made commercially from turpentine. Perfumers use it for lilac and floral effects, and it is common in soaps, cleaners and disinfectants.

Where it comes from

Alpha-terpineol is reported in over 150 plant species and in oils such as petitgrain, cajuput, pine, lavender and cardamom. It can be isolated from those oils by fractional distillation. Industrially it is often made by hydrating alpha-pinene or turpentine oil with mineral acids to give terpin hydrate, then partly dehydrating that to alpha-terpineol.

Smell and use

Clean and floral like lilac, with a pine-like, woody and citrus side. Good Scents lists pine, terpene, lilac, citrus, woody and floral.

Terpineol is one of the most frequently used fragrance compounds, with its typical lilac odour. It is used in lilac and lily of the valley types, and in apple blossom and fougere perfumes. Its pine-like freshness suits detergents and home care. It is also a starting point for making other fragrance ingredients.

On the label

Named on 11% of the 6,851 perfume ingredient lists we hold (773 perfumes).

EU
Annex III, entry 343. Must be named above 0.001% in leave-on products (0.01% rinse-off).
Great Britain
Not on Great Britain's list. It came to the EU list in 2023 and a GB label need not name it.

Terpineol was added to the EU fragrance allergen labelling list by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, so it must be named above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. The transition dates are 31 July 2026 for placing non-compliant products on the EU market and 31 July 2028 for making existing stock available. SCCS/1459/11 lists terpineol among established contact allergens in humans, in its lowest reporting band. ScenTree reports no applicable IFRA Standard under the 51st Amendment. Great Britain has not adopted the 2023 expansion, per Oxford Biosciences.

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 12% of 4,889
  • Eau de toilette 6% of 1,227
  • Extrait 11% of 341
  • Parfum 39% of 194
  • Cologne 5% of 114
  • Body spray 17% of 42
  • Other 19% of 27

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

Named alongside

Share of the lists naming Terpineol that also name each of these.

Notes whose materials include it

Perfumes whose box names it

Common questions

What does terpineol smell like?

Terpineol smells of lilac, clean and sweet, with a pine-like, woody and citrus side. At low strength in alcohol it reads more pine and resin, with a slight lemon and lime touch and a floral finish.

Is terpineol natural or synthetic?

Both. Terpineol occurs in over 150 plant species and can be isolated from oils such as petitgrain, cajuput and pine. Industrially it is often made from alpha-pinene or turpentine oil by hydration and partial dehydration.

Why is terpineol on my perfume label?

Terpineol is on the EU fragrance allergen labelling list added by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. It must be named above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. The dates are 31 July 2026 for placing non-compliant products on the EU market and 31 July 2028 for existing stock.