Farnesol

Product Benefits

• Nature-identical cosmetic ingredient

• For deodorant formulations

• No added preservatives

• Alternative to natural Farnesol

• Reduces the appearance of redness from shaving irritation

• For eczema-prone skin

• Calms and balances skin

• Soothes skin

• Improves skin texture

• Moisturises and nourishes dry underarm skin

• Can be used in oil and water-based deodorant blends

• Vegan and cruelty-free

• Derived to mimic compounds found in Palmarosa and Chamomile oils

Product Description

Farnesol is a nature-identical cosmetic ingredient used in deodorants due to its gentle, skin-friendly profile and effectiveness. Found in essential oils like Palmarosa and Chamomile, it’s also present in the flowers of neroli, ylang-ylang, and acacia farnesiana. Farnesol is responsible for the characteristic scent of many flowers, especially those with a lily or lily-of-the-valley fragrance. It neutralises body odour and supports a pleasant scent profile in personal care products.

Farnesol is an unsaturated alcohol and is often present as a mixture of isomers or related esters in natural sources. It’s also known as farnesyl alcohol, a synonym recognised under regulatory standards for use as an active ingredient in cosmetic and flavouring products. This Farnesol is perfect for those with sensitive skin or those who suffer from eczema and redness. If you have sensitive skin or eczema, this ingredient will soothe the skin, moisturise dry areas, and calm and balance the complexion. Its performance is the same as naturally extracted Farnesol, but at a fraction of the cost and resource intensity.

Why Farnesol for DIY Skincare Formulations?

This ingredient does two jobs: it controls odour and improves the texture and feel of deodorant products. Whether you’re making a solid stick, cream, roll-on or spray formula, Farnesol blends with essential oils, butters, waxes, and hydrosols. Combining Farnesol with other deodorising agents creates a synergistic complex, odour control, and skin compatibility.

Mild and Sensitive Skin

Because Farnesol mimics natural compounds, it’s less likely to irritate, making it perfect for sensitive or eczema-prone skin. It also moisturises skin, especially when combined with moisturising oils like jojoba or squalane.

Sustainable & Economical

Sourcing natural Farnesol requires large quantities of essential oils, making the process expensive and resource-intensive. Our nature-identical alternative is the same, but far more sustainable.

Properties and Characteristics

Farnesol is a colourless liquid extracted from essential oils, used in the cosmetic industry for its versatility and gentle profile. With a delicate scent of rose and other floral notes, Farnesol is a nature-identical cosmetic ingredient, meaning it’s chemically identical to the compound found in essential oils like rose, neroli, and palmarosa. Its molecular structure is an unsaturated alcohol, a sesquiterpene, and is scientifically known as 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trien-1-ol.

This ingredient is used as a fragrance and active ingredient in many cosmetic products, body lotions, perfumes, and household care products. Farnesol isomers are also used in the creation of fragrances and flavourings to give a sweet, mild, and fresh vanilla character to many consumer products. It blends well with oils and other cosmetic ingredients and is a popular choice for products that require a subtle, pleasant odour and good performance. As a nature-identical ingredient, Farnesol gives the benefits of natural essential oils while ensuring consistency and sustainability in large-scale production.

Safety and Regulations

Farnesol is regulated to ensure its safe use in cosmetic and consumer products. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) classifies Farnesol as posing minimal or no environmental risk when used as intended. It’s classified as a skin sensitizer under certain conditions, so direct skin contact and oral and lip exposure can occur through products like deodorants, body lotions, and other cosmetic products. Proper usage concentrations and formulations help minimise the risk of sensitisation.

To protect consumers, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has set guidelines for Farnesol use, including a maximum concentration of 0.5% in leave-on products and up to 1.0% in rinse-off products. These limits ensure that any potential for skin irritation or sensitization is extremely low. Farnesol is also subject to IFRA standards, which set additional safety benchmarks for fragrance ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

Quality Control and Assurance

The quality and safety of Farnesol start with quality control at every stage of production. Manufacturers follow strict protocols to test for purity, stability, and absence of contaminants using advanced analytical methods to verify that each batch meets industry standards. Farnesol is typically produced through a controlled synthesis process where carefully selected materials are reacted to form the desired compound, which is then purified and concentrated to get a high-quality nature-identical ingredient. Suppliers must provide detailed documentation on the source of raw materials, manufacturing process, and all quality control measures during production. Finished products containing Farnesol are tested for stability, efficacy, and safety for skin contact, including skin irritation and sensitisation assessment. By following these strict quality assurance practices, manufacturers can deliver reliable and effective products that meet regulatory requirements and consumer expectations for safety and performance. This ensures Farnesol is a trusted ingredient in the cosmetic and personal care industry.

How to Use

• Usage Rate: 0.05% to 0.3% in deodorant formulations.
  
  
• How to Incorporate: Add to the oil phase of your formula during the cool-down phase. It can also be added directly to hydrosols or alcohol-based bases.
  
  
• Farnesol can be used in products applied to the skin, both leave-on products (like creams and lotions) and rinse-off products (like body washes and shampoos).

• Rinse-off products are primarily rinse formulations designed to be washed away after application. For products involving hand exposure or hand contact (like hand creams or lotions), consider the level of skin contact and the potential for ingredient transfer during use.
  
  
• Pro Tip: Pair with Triethyl Citrate to enhance deodorising performance and longer-lasting scent.