Fragrance allergen

Vanillin

Vanillin is the main flavour and scent compound of the vanilla bean. It is also made synthetically. It smells sweet, creamy and vanilla-like and is used in perfumes, foods and drinks. It was added to the EU list of fragrance allergens that must be named on labels in 2023.

Formula
C8H8O3
Molar mass
152.15 g/mol
CAS
121-33-5

Where it comes from

PubChem calls vanillin the primary component of vanilla bean extract. The SCCS also records it in styrax, clove oil, potatoes and wood. Today it can be synthesised from eugenol, guaiacol or lignin, a by-product of paper making. Natural-source vanillin from vanilla beans and clove is also traded.

Smell and use

Sweet, creamy and vanilla-like, with a phenolic edge. Supplier listings add chocolate and caramel shades. Arctander called it one of the most tenacious odours among common perfume materials.

Vanillin brings intense sweetness to perfumes. Arctander said it can be used in almost any type of fragrance, from woody or herbaceous to Oriental or floral, and that it is one of the most tenacious odours among common perfume materials. Synthetic vanillin is also used as a flavouring in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

On the label

Named on 11% of the 6,851 perfume ingredient lists we hold (776 perfumes).

EU
Annex III, entry 346. 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.

Vanillin was added to the EU list of named fragrance allergens by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. It must be named above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. From 31 July 2026, products that do not meet the new requirements 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. SCCS/1459/11 placed it in the ++ band (11 to 100 reported positive reactions). One industry source says Great Britain has not adopted this 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 12% of 4,889
  • Eau de toilette 5% of 1,227
  • Extrait 9% of 341
  • Parfum 42% of 194
  • Cologne 3% of 114
  • Body spray 31% of 42
  • Other 22% of 27

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

Named alongside

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

Notes whose materials include it

Perfumes whose box names it

Common questions

What does vanillin smell like?

Vanillin smells sweet, creamy and vanilla-like, with a slightly phenolic edge. Supplier descriptions add chocolate and caramel. Arctander noted it is one of the most tenacious odours among common perfume materials.

Is vanillin natural or synthetic?

Both. It is the main component of vanilla bean extract, and the SCCS says it is nowadays synthesised from eugenol, guaiacol and lignin from paper production. Natural-source vanillin is also traded, for example from vanilla beans or clove.

Why is vanillin on my perfume label?

Vanillin was added to the EU's list of named fragrance allergens by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. It must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. The deadlines are 31 July 2026 for placing non-compliant products on the EU market and 31 July 2028 for making existing stock available.