Cinnamyl Alcohol

Cinnamyl Alcohol Description

Cinnamyl alcohol is a compound found naturally within cinnamon and balsam of Peru. Most natural sources only contain small amounts of this alcohol, however, so commercial cinnamyl alcohol is generally lab synthesized.

Cinnamyl alcohol has a strong cinnamon or balsam (resiny, herbal) odor and is frequently used as a perfume additive. It is also used as a fragrance ingredient in skin care products, generally to mask other odors that naturally occur in some of the beneficial ingredients.

Unfortunately, cinnamyl alcohol itself is not a skin-loving ingredient! Copious amounts of research demonstrate it is a skin sensitizer, leading to red, dry, and flaky skin – and there’s no evidence thus far showing it has any topical benefits at all.

Our advice? Cinnamyl alcohol is ok for _eau de toilette_ but belongs nowhere in skin care products!