Cosmetic ingredient

FARNESOL

Farnesol is a sesquiterpene alcohol with a delicate floral scent. It is a defined substance, rather than the name of a plant or of a whole essential oil, so seeing it on a label identifies that particular aromatic component.

2D molecular structure

CAS number

4602-84-0

EC number

225-004-1

Molecular formula

C15H26O

Molecular weight

222.37

Chemical name

2,6,10-Dodecatrien-1-ol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-

InChIKey

CRDAMVZIKSXKFV-YFVJMOTDSA-N

FARNESOL: what it is

It occurs in plant oils such as citronella, neroli, cyclamen and tuberose, from which it may be extracted. Its connection with floral oils helps explain the scent, but the name FARNESOL alone does not identify which plant supplied the material in a product.

FARNESOL: what it does in cosmetics

In cosmetics, farnesol is used for perfuming and deodorant purposes. In everyday terms, its floral note can contribute to a product's scent and help reduce the perception of unpleasant odours; that is not the same as stopping perspiration, as an antiperspirant does.

A study of farnesol in an oil-in-water emulsion measured skin absorption in hairless guinea pigs after topical application. It examined what happened to the substance in skin, not odour control, acne or treatment of any condition, so it does not support promising those effects from a cosmetic.