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Terpineol

What Terpineol is & what it does

Terpineol is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol with a pleasant floral, lilac-like odor, found in many essential oils such as pine and cajuput. In cosmetics it is used chiefly as a fragrance ingredient and can also contribute mild antimicrobial activity. Because it is a fragrance component, it may be a consideration for people who prefer fragrance-free products or who have sensitive skin.

What does Terpineol do in skincare?

Terpineol is used in cosmetics mainly as a fragrance ingredient, giving a soft floral, lilac-like scent. It is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in several essential oils and can also contribute mild antimicrobial activity. Its role in a formula is usually about scent rather than skin benefit.

Is Terpineol safe?

Terpineol is a common fragrance ingredient used at low levels in cosmetics. Because it is a fragrance component, it can be a consideration for people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities, who may prefer fragrance-free products. If you are prone to irritation from fragrances, patch testing is a sensible precaution.

Is Terpineol natural or synthetic?

Terpineol occurs naturally in many essential oils, such as pine and cajuput, but it is also produced synthetically for use in fragrances. The molecule is the same whether sourced from plants or made synthetically. Which form a product uses depends on the manufacturer.

Sunscreens with Terpineol

We rate 11 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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