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Eugenol

Allergen0 products
CAS
97-53-0
EC
2025891
PubChem CID
3314
Molecular Formula
C10H12O2
Molecular Weight
164.2000 g/mol

A component that provides a clove scent. Allergen; may lead to itching and redness in sensitive skin.

What does it do?

A fragrance component that provides a clove-like scent.

Details

Eugenol is a component naturally found in clove oil; it gives the product a spicy, clove-like scent. Allergen; may lead to itching, redness, and eczema-like reactions in sensitive skin. Therefore, it is mandatory to list its name on the label when used above a certain amount in cosmetic products.

Functions

Restrictions

Where is it found?

Function & Use

Perfuming

Tonic

Denaturant

Usage Restrictions

  • Maximum Concentration - 3%

    Distributed for Comment Only -- Do Not Cite or Quote

Regulatory note

  • EU 1223/2009 Annex IIIRestricted

Industry GHS notices (PubChem)

These are industry self-reports to ECHA, not our regulatory assessment.

  • H302(17.3%)- Harmful if swallowed
  • H315(20.6%)- Causes skin irritation
  • H317(99.8%)- May cause an allergic skin reaction
  • H319(80.4%)- Causes serious eye irritation
  • H336- May cause drowsiness or dizziness
  • H351- Suspected of causing cancer
  • H401- Toxic to aquatic life
  • H412- Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
PubChem CID 3314
The verdict isn’t ours: below is what ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database), SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), EPA ToxCast (high-throughput in vitro screening), IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) said, verbatim.

What The Sources Say

SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety)4
Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Memorandum on the SCCNFP Opinion concerning Fragrance Allergy

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Opinion concerning the Interim Position on Fragrance Allergy

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Opinion concerning Essential Oils

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Opinion concerning Fragrance Allergy in Consumers - A Review of the Problem - Analysis of the need for appropriate Consumer Information and Identification of Consumer Allergens

IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer)1
General assessmentView source →

IARC Group 3 - Not classifiable as to carcinogenicity. The available evidence is insufficient for a classification. This does NOT mean 'safe'; it means 'not enough data'. (Monograph volume: 36, Sup 7). Caveat: IARC classifies HAZARD, not RISK - it says 'can cause cancer under some conditions', not 'causes cancer at cosmetic use levels'. Route and dose must be assessed separately. Data is a 01/2021 snapshot.

ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database)15
Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Eye Irritation, classification: Category 6.4A (Category 2A). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Irritation, classification: Category 6.3A (Category 2). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Sensitization, classification: Category 6.5B (Category 1). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA), classification: Low to Moderate Frequency of Sensitization, species: mouse, study: skin sensitization, guideline: according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay), year: 2006. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA), classification: Low to Moderate Frequency of Sensitization, species: guinea pig, study: skin sensitization, guideline: equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation), year: 2004. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

+10 more records.

EPA ToxCast (high-throughput in vitro screening)1
Safety assessmentView source →

EPA ToxCast ER model: NO estrogen receptor activity found (AUC agonist=0, antagonist=0). Tested in 18 in vitro assays. Caveat: this is an in vitro screening model with no dose or exposure context; it does NOT mean an effect occurs in humans at cosmetic use levels.

Scientific References