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Linalool

What Linalool is & what it does

A floral fragrance compound common in lavender and many plants. It adds scent but is a labeled allergen that can become irritating as it oxidizes.

What is Linalool and what does it do in sunscreen?

Linalool is a fragrance compound with a soft floral scent, found naturally in lavender and many other plants and also made synthetically. In a sunscreen its job is to contribute to the scent, sometimes as a deliberate fragrance and sometimes as a natural part of an essential oil. It plays no role in sun protection.

Is Linalool safe?

For most people, yes, at the low levels used in cosmetics. The catch is that linalool is a recognized fragrance allergen: as it is exposed to air it can oxidize into compounds that are more likely to irritate or trigger contact allergy in sensitive people. That is why EU labelling rules require it to be named on the ingredient list once it passes a set threshold.

Why is Linalool listed separately on the label?

Because it is one of the fragrance allergens that EU rules require to be named individually, rather than hidden under the generic word parfum or fragrance. Seeing Linalool spelled out is simply that transparency rule at work, so people who react to it can spot it. Its presence is normal and does not signal a problem for most users.

Is Linalool bad for sensitive or allergy-prone skin?

It can be, for a minority of people. Because oxidized linalool is a known contact allergen, those with very sensitive, reactive or fragrance-allergic skin often choose to avoid it. For everyone else it is usually well tolerated at the small amounts used in sunscreen. If your skin reacts to scented products, a fragrance-free formula is the safer choice.

Does Linalool clog pores?

No. Linalool is a light, volatile fragrance molecule, not an oil or wax, so it is not a pore-clogging ingredient. Its relevant concern is potential irritation or allergy for sensitive skin, not comedogenicity.

Is Linalool natural?

It can be either. Linalool occurs naturally in lavender, citrus and many other plants, and is also produced synthetically for use in fragrance. The natural and synthetic versions are the same molecule, and being natural does not make it any less of a labelled allergen.

Sunscreens with Linalool

We rate 942 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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