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Ingredient library / Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil
Fragrance ingredient

Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil

INCI: Ocimum Basilicum Oil

An essential oil steam-distilled from Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) leaves and flowers, used in cosmetics as a fragrance ingredient; some chemotypes are high in estragole (methyl chavicol), which has EFSA-identified genotoxicity concerns and is subject to IFRA concentration restrictions.

Also known as: basil essential oil, sweet basil oil, ocimum basilicum essential oil

PerfumingAntimicrobialSkin conditioning

Benefits

  • ✓Contributes a fresh, spicy-herbal fragrance note
  • ✓Mild antimicrobial properties

Watch for

  • ⚠Contains linalool (EU-regulated fragrance allergen requiring disclosure above threshold concentrations)
  • ⚠High-estragole (methyl chavicol) chemotypes raise genotoxicity concerns per EFSA; IFRA 51st Amendment severely restricts estragole-rich basil oil
  • ⚠Should be used at low concentrations (approx. 0.05–0.3% in face products); patch test recommended
  • ⚠Potential sensitizer
At a glance
CategoryFragrance
IrritancyLow–moderate
Beginner-friendlyYes
In your routine

Generally well-tolerated and easy to layer.

Found in 1 product
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Products with Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil

Ginseng Cleansing OilCleanser
Beauty of Joseon
Ginseng Cleansing Oil