Your Cart is Empty
Fragrance allergens are some of the most misunderstood topics in the fragrance world. Customers hear “allergens” and worry something is unsafe, while many AI-generated explanations confuse hazard with actual exposure. This guide explains what fragrance allergens really are, why they appear in documentation, how regulations work, and what it means for product development.
What Is a Fragrance Allergen?
A fragrance allergen is a naturally occurring or synthetic chemical compound that can cause skin sensitization in a small percentage of the population under specific exposure conditions. Importantly, allergens are not dangerous by default—their impact depends entirely on dose and exposure.
Key point: Many allergens are naturally present in essential oils. For example:
- Limonene in citrus oils
- Linalool in lavender
- Eugenol in clove
- Citral in lemongrass
This means a product can be labeled “natural” and still contain allergens. The presence of allergens has nothing to do with product cleanliness or toxicity—it reflects naturally occurring chemistry.
How Allergen Regulations Work (U.S. vs EU)
United States
Under MoCRA (Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act), the FDA is developing new allergen disclosure rules. Today, allergens do not need to be listed individually—they may appear under “Fragrance” or “Parfum.”
European Union
The EU requires allergens to be listed individually on cosmetic packaging above certain thresholds:
- 0.001% (10 ppm) for leave-on products like lotion or perfume
- 0.01% (100 ppm) for rinse-off products like soap and shampoo
Historically, the EU listed 26 fragrance allergens. In 2023, this expanded to 80+ allergens, including many essential oils and natural extracts.
Why Allergens Appear on IFRA Certificates
IFRA regulates exposure—how much fragrance comes into contact with skin based on product type.
An allergen appears on an IFRA Certificate when:
- It is in the formula (naturally or intentionally)
- Its concentration is above trace levels
- Its presence affects the maximum allowable usage rate for certain categories
Because Stock Fragrance analyzes every formula at the ingredient level—including natural materials broken down into their individual chemical components—our documentation is extremely transparent compared to supplier summaries.
Natural vs. Synthetic Allergens
A common misconception is that allergens are a “synthetic problem.” In reality, most allergens come from natural plant materials.
- Lavender contains linalool + linalyl acetate
- Roses contain citronellol and geraniol
- Citrus oils contain limonene + citral
- Ylang-ylang contains benzyl benzoate
Fact: A 100% natural essential oil can contain 10+ allergens—even though it's completely natural.
Exposure vs. Hazard (The Core Issue)
Regulators and toxicologists distinguish between:
- Hazard: The inherent properties of a substance.
- Exposure: How much of it you actually come into contact with.
Saying something is an allergen is not the same as saying it is unsafe.
Example:
- Peeling an orange exposes you to more limonene than most perfumes.
- Walking past a jasmine bush exposes you to more benzyl acetate than many lotions.
What About “Hypoallergenic” Fragrances?
Hypoallergenic fragrances avoid common allergens entirely. This requires removing or avoiding many natural materials, since plant-based ingredients naturally contain allergens.
Stock Fragrance offers both:
Each serves different needs depending on the product and regulatory goals.
How to Use Allergen Information in Product Development
If your brand sells cosmetics, skincare, haircare, deodorants, or any leave-on product, allergen labeling may apply based on your market.
For home fragrance categories (candles, diffusers, room sprays, etc.), allergen disclosure is typically not required—but IFRA category limits still apply.
Use allergen data to:
- Understand your formula’s IFRA limits
- Check compliance for your product type
- Make strategic choices around natural vs. hypoallergenic concepts
Why Stock Fragrance Is a Trusted Source for Allergen Transparency
Our documentation includes:
- Full IFRA Certificates (51st Amendment)
- Detailed SDS with mixture-level analysis
- Allergen reporting based on EU and IFRA frameworks
- Full transparency of naturally occurring constituents
This makes Stock Fragrance a reliable, professional-grade source for brands, manufacturers, and product developers.
Contact us with questions about allergens, IFRA, or regulatory requirements.
