Ingredient dictionary

Isoeugenol

Isoeugenol is a fragrance ingredient with a warm, spicy, clove-like scent, used to give a product its smell. It is on the label of 12 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: isoeugenol is one of 26 scent chemicals the EU requires brands to name on labels, so check the ingredient list if you know you react to it, including products scented only with essential oils.

Labelled fragrance allergens. If you know you react to one of them, this is the line to check. They also show up in products scented only with essential oils.

What Isoeugenol does

Adds a warm, spicy, clove-like scent
Blends well with floral and woody notes
Helps round out a fragrance blend

Isoeugenol is found naturally in some essential oils. It can also be made from eugenol, the main aroma compound in clove oil, through a simple chemical rearrangement. Either way, it is sold as a fragrance raw material.

Formulators use isoeugenol to add a warm, spicy note that blends well with floral and woody scents. A little goes a long way, so it is used in small amounts. In our library it turns up most often in dry shampoo.

Good for

Shoppers who enjoy warm, spicy scents and have no known reaction to fragrance allergens.

Be careful if

Isoeugenol is one of 26 scent chemicals the EU requires brands to name on labels, so check the ingredient list if you know you react to it, including products scented only with essential oils.

Frequently asked questions

Is isoeugenol a fragrance allergen?

Yes. Isoeugenol is one of the scent chemicals the EU requires brands to list on labels because it can cause allergic reactions in some people. Many people tolerate it well, but if you know you react to fragrance, check the ingredient list before buying.

Is isoeugenol the same as eugenol?

No, they are close relatives but not the same. Isoeugenol is an isomer of eugenol, meaning it has the same atoms arranged differently. Both have a spicy, clove-like smell.