Sep 10, 2026 - Cosmetics
Essential oils – the BfR takes a position
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published an FAQ catalogue at the beginning of September 2026 that deals with the topic of essential oils and their risks.
Essential oils are obtained from plants and consist of a wide variety of mixtures of volatile and fat-soluble natural constituents of these plants. They give herbs their scent and flavor, for example, and also serve as a feeding deterrent. Many consumers associate essential oils with positive effects solely because they occur naturally. However, this can sometimes be a dangerous misconception, since naturally occurring substances and mixtures of substances are not inherently safe. Many essential oils contain fragrance ingredients or other chemical compounds that can be sensitizing or irritating to the skin. Therefore, use only in a highly diluted form is advisable, and in children under 3 years of age, people with allergies, asthmatics, pregnant and breastfeeding women it is best to avoid use entirely or at least greatly reduce it.
Especially in young children, already small concentrations of camphor or menthol (from peppermint oil) can trigger life-threatening seizures resulting in respiratory arrest.
In cosmetic products, essential oils are primarily used for fragrance purposes. Potentially present allergenic fragrance substances are regulated in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and must be declared on the packaging at concentrations of 10 mg/kg (leave-on products) and 100 mg/kg (rinse-off products) or higher. In addition, maximum concentrations apply to some compounds (e.g., citral) which must not be exceeded in the finished product.
If you have any questions or require fragrance analysis of your raw materials or finished products, please contact us.
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