Isoeugenol
Isoeugenol
- Role
- A scent molecule that is part of the fragrance.
- Catalog formulas
- 4
- Type
- Scent
- Verified
- 09.11.2026
What does this ingredient do in an antiperspirant?
According to CosIng, it functions as a perfuming and flavoring agent. COSMILE Europe notes that it occurs in nature, for example in clove oil and spices, and is used in perfumes and fragranced cosmetics; according to the SCCS, the trans isomer dominates in commercial material (82–88%).
Part of a system, not a label in isolation
In an antiperspirant or deodorant it only contributes to the scent and does not reduce sweating. Its presence in the list means the product is fragranced.
In the EU it is on the list of fragrance allergens (Regulation 1223/2009, Annex III, entry 73, as amended by Regulation 2023/1545): in products other than oral products it is limited to 0.02%, and above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products it must be named separately in the ingredient list. New products must comply with the updated rules from 31 July 2026, and products already on the market may be sold until 31 July 2028.
The 2012 SCCS opinion lists it as an established contact allergen in humans: 101–1,000 positive patch-test reactions have been reported, and the SCCS placed it among the allergens of special concern. In the IVDK 2007 study, 1.3% of 2,063 consecutively tested patients reacted to it.
It is not eugenol (Eugenol): isoeugenol is an isomer of it in which the allyl group is replaced by a propenyl group, and the two have separate entries on the EU allergen list.
Products containing Isoeugenol
Links are based on the complete published INCI list for the exact product version.
Sources
The conclusions apply to the stated conditions and jurisdictions, not automatically to every concentration or product.
- EU CosIng: Isoeugenol Supports: function, substance identity
- CosIng Checker: Annex III, entry 73 (Isoeugenol) Supports: restrictions, allergen labelling, substance identity
- European Commission: fragrance allergens Supports: allergen labelling, Regulation 2023/1545 deadlines
- SCCS/1459/11: Opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products Supports: isomers, allergenicity assessment
- COSMILE Europe (CosIng data): Isoeugenol Supports: function, natural sources