Amyl Cinnamal (Amyl Cinnamaldehyde)
A synthetic jasmine note in Fragrance Mix I — historically important but one of the weaker FM I sensitisers
INCIAmyl Cinnamal
- Category
- Fragrance
- Risk level
- medium
- Why it's flagged
- EU-labelled fragrance allergen and a Fragrance Mix I component (a comparatively weak one)
- Scent
- Sweet, jasmine-like floral; used in perfumery since the 1930s
- Fragrance Mix I
- One of the 8 FM I components — but considered among the weaker sensitisers in the mix
- Cross-reactors
- Structurally related to hexyl cinnamal and other cinnamic aldehydes
- EU labelling
- Must be named above 0.001% (leave-on) / 0.01% (rinse-off); on the expanded 2023 allergen list
Look for these names on ingredient lists
This ingredient may appear under any of these names:
Commonly found in
Possible reactions
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Facial and neck rash from perfumed products
- Hand dermatitis from fragranced detergents
- Airborne contact dermatitis from strongly scented products
Top picks without Amyl Cinnamal (Amyl Cinnamaldehyde)
Highly rated products whose ingredient lists don't include Amyl Cinnamal (Amyl Cinnamaldehyde).
As an Amazon Associate, AllerNote earns from qualifying purchases.
Always scan the actual label before use — formulations change.
Scan a product for this concern
What is amyl cinnamal?
Amyl cinnamal (INCI: Amyl Cinnamal; also amyl cinnamaldehyde, alpha-amyl cinnamic aldehyde, or "jasmine aldehyde") is a synthetic fragrance aldehyde with a sweet, jasmine-like floral scent. In use since the 1930s, it became a signature note in classic jasmine-type fragrances and is widely used in soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, and household cleaners as well as fine fragrance.
It's one of the eight components of Fragrance Mix I (FM I) and an EU-labelled fragrance allergen — but unlike some of its mix-mates, it's a comparatively weak sensitiser.
Why it causes reactions (and why it's milder)
Amyl cinnamal is an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, a structure with reactive sites that can bind skin proteins and form haptens, leading to Type IV delayed hypersensitivity. That reactivity is why it's on the FM I screen.
In practice, though, amyl cinnamal sensitises less readily than the stronger FM I members (cinnamal, eugenol, hydroxycitronellal). Its inclusion in FM I is partly historical, and it's best understood as a real but milder fragrance allergen — relevant mainly to people who are already fragrance-sensitive. It can cross-react with the related hexyl cinnamal and other cinnamic aldehydes.
Because it's so common in laundry products, a frequently overlooked exposure is fragranced detergent and softener, which leave scent on clothing in contact with skin all day.
Floral laundry products are an easy blind spot. If you've cleaned up your skincare but still get low-grade dermatitis on areas covered by clothing, a fragranced detergent or softener — often carrying amyl cinnamal and friends — is worth switching to fragrance-free.
How to spot and avoid it
- Read labels for Amyl Cinnamal (and older names like alpha-amyl cinnamic aldehyde).
- Suspect jasmine/floral scents, in personal care and laundry products.
- Switch laundry to fragrance-free if you get rashes under clothing.
- Go fragrance-free for leave-on basics if you're FM I-positive.
Safer alternatives
- Fragrance-free soaps, detergents, and softeners.
- Lightly scented products on non-allergenic aroma materials (verify the list).
- For jasmine lovers: note that natural jasmine absolute has its own allergen profile (indole, benzyl benzoate), so it isn't automatically safer.
The bottom line
Amyl cinnamal is the synthetic jasmine note that earns a place on the Fragrance Mix I screen but ranks among its weaker sensitisers. It matters mostly for the already-fragrance-sensitive — and its sneakiest source is scented laundry, not perfume.
Was this article helpful?
One tap tells us what to write more of. No account needed.
Is this ingredient in your products?
Scan any cosmetic product to check for Amyl Cinnamal (Amyl Cinnamaldehyde) and 30+ other allergens instantly.
References & further reading
- Fragrance Mix I and its components — overview DermNet
- Fragrance contact allergy and Fragrance Mix I components — review PubMed / Contact Dermatitis
- CosIng / Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 (labelled fragrance allergens) EUR-Lex