[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":239},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ingredient-farnesol":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":197,"commonProducts":198,"description":202,"extension":203,"icon":204,"inciName":5,"irritantReason":205,"isCommonIrritant":206,"keyFacts":207,"localNames":217,"meta":218,"navigation":206,"path":219,"relatedArticles":220,"seo":227,"severity":228,"slug":229,"stem":230,"subtitle":231,"symptoms":232,"synonyms":237,"__hash__":238},"ingredients/learn/ingredients/farnesol.md","Farnesol",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":187},"minimark",[9,14,25,36,43,47,50,53,75,78,82,107,111,124,127,131,151,154,157,161],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-is-farnesol","What is Farnesol?",[15,16,17,20,21,24],"p",{},[18,19,5],"strong",{}," (INCI: Farnesol; full chemical name: (2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trien-1-ol) is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol with a delicate ",[18,22,23],{},"floral, rose-like"," scent. It is found naturally in multiple fragrant flowers including rose, lily, cyclamen, and citronella, and is a natural component of many essential oils.",[15,26,27,28,31,32,35],{},"In cosmetics, farnesol serves a dual purpose: as a ",[18,29,30],{},"fragrance ingredient"," (imparting fresh floral notes) and as a mild ",[18,33,34],{},"antimicrobial agent"," used particularly in deodorant formulations, where it helps reduce odor-causing bacteria. This dual function means that farnesol exposure is particularly concentrated in the axillary area from deodorant use — a site where the skin is often already irritated from shaving, which can accelerate sensitization.",[15,37,38,39,42],{},"Farnesol is one of the ",[18,40,41],{},"six components of Fragrance Mix II"," and is regulated by the EU Cosmetics Regulation as a declared fragrance allergen. It is also present naturally in many essential oils and botanical extracts used in natural cosmetics.",[10,44,46],{"id":45},"why-does-farnesol-cause-reactions","Why does Farnesol cause reactions?",[15,48,49],{},"Farnesol sensitizes through the formation of oxidation products — farnesol itself may not be the primary sensitizer, but its auto-oxidation products (farnesyl hydroperoxides and other oxidized derivatives) are reactive electrophiles that form hapten-protein conjugates in skin. This oxidative activation pathway is similar to that seen with linalool and limonene.",[15,51,52],{},"Key sensitization risk factors:",[54,55,56,63,69],"ul",{},[57,58,59,62],"li",{},[18,60,61],{},"Deodorant use",": Occlusive application to freshly shaved axillary skin maximizes penetration and sensitization potential",[57,64,65,68],{},[18,66,67],{},"Cumulative exposure",": Farnesol appears in multiple simultaneously used products (perfume + body lotion + deodorant)",[57,70,71,74],{},[18,72,73],{},"Natural cosmetics",": Essential oils containing farnesol add to total exposure in \"clean beauty\" routines",[15,76,77],{},"Axillary contact dermatitis from deodorant is a well-described clinical presentation in patients with farnesol sensitivity — persistent rash, itching, and pigmentation changes in the armpit area that appear and resolve with deodorant use/avoidance.",[10,79,81],{"id":80},"where-is-farnesol-found-in-products","Where is Farnesol found in products?",[54,83,84,90,96,102],{},[57,85,86,89],{},[18,87,88],{},"Deodorants and antiperspirants",": Both as fragrance and as antimicrobial — a major exposure source",[57,91,92,95],{},[18,93,94],{},"Fine fragrances",": Particularly in fresh floral and rose-type perfume compositions",[57,97,98,101],{},[18,99,100],{},"Body lotions and skincare",": Fragranced leave-on products",[57,103,104,106],{},[18,105,73],{},": Rose oil, geranium oil, and other floral essential oils contain farnesol",[10,108,110],{"id":109},"how-to-spot-farnesol-on-labels","How to spot Farnesol on labels",[54,112,113,118],{},[57,114,115,117],{},[18,116,5],{}," — INCI name; must be individually declared on EU-compliant labels",[57,119,120,123],{},[18,121,122],{},"(2E,6E)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trien-1-ol"," — IUPAC name (scientific literature and safety sheets)",[15,125,126],{},"Also check for natural oil sources that contain farnesol: Rose Oil (Rosa Damascena Flower Oil), Geranium Oil (Pelargonium Graveolens Oil), Lily of the Valley compounds.",[10,128,130],{"id":129},"in-indian-products","In Indian products 🇮🇳",[15,132,133,134,137,138,137,141,137,144,137,147,150],{},"Farnesol is present in many fragranced Indian products, particularly in the deodorant and body care categories. Indian consumers are large users of roll-on and spray deodorants from brands like ",[18,135,136],{},"Nivea",", ",[18,139,140],{},"Dove",[18,142,143],{},"Set Wet",[18,145,146],{},"Axe (Lynx)",[18,148,149],{},"Rexona",", and many others — many of which contain farnesol in their fragrance and antimicrobial systems. Floral-scented body sprays popular with younger Indian consumers are another significant source.",[15,152,153],{},"The use of rose-based products and attar in Indian tradition also provides natural farnesol exposure, though at generally lower concentrations than in synthetic fragrance formulations.",[15,155,156],{},"Indian patients presenting with chronic axillary dermatitis that improves during periods of deodorant avoidance should consider patch testing specifically for farnesol and other FM II components.",[10,158,160],{"id":159},"safer-alternatives","Safer alternatives",[54,162,163,169,175,181],{},[57,164,165,168],{},[18,166,167],{},"Deodorants labeled \"fragrance-free\" or \"for sensitive skin\"",": Dove Sensitive, Mitchum Unscented, and similar formulations",[57,170,171,174],{},[18,172,173],{},"Crystal deodorant (potassium alum)",": Traditional mineral deodorant with no fragrance or antimicrobials beyond the alum itself",[57,176,177,180],{},[18,178,179],{},"Baking soda-free, fragrance-free natural deodorants",": Some natural brands formulate with only antibacterial clays and no fragrance",[57,182,183,186],{},[18,184,185],{},"Fragrance-free body care",": Eliminate farnesol exposure from all leave-on body products",{"title":188,"searchDepth":189,"depth":189,"links":190},"",2,[191,192,193,194,195,196],{"id":12,"depth":189,"text":13},{"id":45,"depth":189,"text":46},{"id":80,"depth":189,"text":81},{"id":109,"depth":189,"text":110},{"id":129,"depth":189,"text":130},{"id":159,"depth":189,"text":160},"fragrance",[199,200,201],"Perfume","Deodorant","Skincare","A naturally occurring fragrance compound in flowers like rose and lily. A Fragrance Mix II allergen and EU-regulated contact sensitizer, also used in deodorants for its antimicrobial properties.","md","🌸",null,true,[208,211,214],{"label":209,"value":210},"FM II component","One of the 6 allergens in Fragrance Mix II; important for identifying deodorant-related fragrance allergy",{"label":212,"value":213},"Antimicrobial use","Used in deodorants not just as a fragrance but as a mild antimicrobial against odor-causing bacteria — dual function increases exposure",{"label":215,"value":216},"EU regulation","Must be declared individually on EU-compliant cosmetic labels above threshold concentrations",[],{},"/learn/ingredients/farnesol",[221,224],{"slug":222,"title":223},"/learn/patch-test-shopping-guide","Patch Test Shopping Guide",{"slug":225,"title":226},"/learn/reading-cosmetic-labels","How to Read Cosmetic Labels",{"title":5,"description":202},"moderate","farnesol","learn/ingredients/farnesol","A floral fragrance allergen found in rose and lily — Fragrance Mix II component, EU regulated",[233,234,235,236],"Allergic contact dermatitis","Axillary dermatitis from fragranced deodorants","Facial dermatitis from fragranced cosmetics","Airborne contact reactions",[122],"28Oe-QIoOVuSHWl-bkCJyQXbsJ_1dnKvEgMCTCCwzOM",1778416676395]