Chapter 8: Fragrance · Part 1: The listed fragrance allergens
Hexyl cinnamal
- Officially classed skin allergen
The worst fact: when labs need a chemical that's known to cause skin allergy, this is a recommended standard. It was in over 1 in 5 scented products tested in Europe.
Why brands use it: a floral, jasmine-like note.
Take care if: you have a fragrance allergy.
Comes from: made in a factory.
Myth check: nil.
Contaminants: nil.
Fair to say: it's a less common allergen in people than its lab use suggests.
Correct as of November 2026. What the badges mean
Sources
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). Opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products, SCCS/1459/11 (2012); opinion on butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial), SCCS/1591/17; opinion on benzyl salicylate, SCCS/1656/23. health.ec.europa.eu
- Safe Work Australia. Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS). hcis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
The full source list is at the end of Chapter 8.