Ingredient dictionary

Linalool

Linalool is a fragrance compound found naturally in flowers and herbs, and in skincare it mainly adds a fresh, floral scent. It is on the label of 387 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: linalool is one of the 26 fragrance allergens the EU asks brands to name on labels, so people who know they react to it should check the label, including on 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 Linalool does

Gives products a fresh, floral scent
Helps mask the smell of other ingredients
Blends with other fragrance materials

Linalool is a fragrance compound found naturally in many flowers and herbs, including lavender. It is also made in the lab, so formulators can source it from plants or from synthetic production. Its soft, fresh floral scent is a common building block in perfumes and scented personal care.

Brands use linalool to give shampoos, lotions and body washes a clean, pleasant smell. It blends well with other scent materials, so it helps build a rounded fragrance. In a finished product it adds to the overall scent, and it can also help cover the natural smell of other ingredients.

Good for

Suits anyone who likes a light floral or herbal scent in their routine and has no known reaction to fragrance.

Be careful if

Linalool is one of the 26 fragrance allergens the EU asks brands to name on labels, so people who know they react to it should check the label, including on products scented only with essential oils.

Frequently asked questions

Is linalool a fragrance allergen?

Linalool is a scent chemical that can cause allergy in some people. The EU asks brands to name it on labels. Most people tolerate it well, but if you react to it, skip products that list it or are scented with essential oils.

Is linalool natural?

Yes, linalool is found naturally in many flowers and herbs, including lavender. It is also made in the lab. Either way, the label will usually show it as linalool, so you can check for it wherever it came from.