Ingredient dictionary

Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde

Also listed as: HICC, Lyral

A synthetic fragrance ingredient whose main job is to give products a fresh, floral, lily-of-the-valley scent. It is on the label of 5 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: it is one of the 26 fragrance allergens that EU rules require brands to name on labels, so check the list if you react to one of them, including in products scented only with essential oils.

Labelled fragrance allergens. The 26 scent chemicals the EU makes brands name on the label, such as linalool and limonene.

What Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde does

Adds a fresh, floral scent
Gives a clean, lily-of-the-valley note
Blends with other fragrance notes

HICC is a synthetic fragrance ingredient, made by chemical synthesis rather than taken straight from a plant. Perfumers developed it to recreate the fresh, green-floral smell of lily of the valley, a flower that is hard to capture as a natural oil.

You will see it most often in shaving products, where formulators use it for a light, clean floral note. It blends easily with other scent notes and does not change how a formula spreads or feels on skin.

Good for

Suits people who enjoy fresh, floral scents and have no known reaction to fragrance ingredients.

Frequently asked questions

Is hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde the same as Lyral?

HICC is the common short name for this ingredient. Lyral is a trade name for the same chemical, so you may see either name on fragrance lists or in articles about allergens. Both refer to the same substance.

Is hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde safe for sensitive skin?

People with sensitive skin may want to be careful, since fragrance ingredients are a common source of skin reactions. If your skin reacts to scented products, choose fragrance-free options and check labels for this name.