ARE ESSENTIAL OILS DANGEROUS IN COSMETICS… ESPECIALLY IN FRANCE?

In the French media and press, warnings against essential oils are frequent, sometimes rightly so, but often exaggerated. The simple fact that a cosmetic product contains a trace of diluted essential oil becomes suspect, even dangerous at the same level as a component proven to be toxic or endocrine disruptor . But what is the reality?

Essential Oils: Powerful Yet Beneficial

There is no denying that essential oils are powerful and concentrated substances that have been used for their virtues for centuries. However, if they are not diluted properly or used incorrectly, they can cause reactions such as photosensitization or irritation.

However, their advantage is that their properties and warnings are well known . Unlike many chemicals whose long-term effects are still poorly studied, essential oils have been the subject of extensive research over the centuries.

Cocktail effect of chemicals

Today, informed consumers are increasingly turning to organic and natural cosmetics to avoid controversial substances present in conventional cosmetics. However, distrust of essential oils persists , particularly due to applications such as Yuka , which poorly note allergens , even if they are derived from natural and fractionated essential oils . These fractionated allergens do not have the same allergenic power as their synthetic counterparts .

Beware of essential oil allergens

In France , products containing essential oil fractions such as citronellol, farnesol and geraniol are often rated less well by consumer tests. However, these components are used in organic cosmetics such as Nature Effiscience care for their intrinsic properties, whether for care , perfume or preservation. In addition, the specifications for organic cosmetics are much stricter , prohibiting synthetic perfumes.

Alternatives to essential oils: really better?

To avoid essential oils , you should look for products that contain synthetic fragrances , which include problematic substances such as phthalates and musky compounds. These substances can not only be potentially allergenic , but also accumulate in body tissues.

Is it justified to put components from essential oils and controversial chemical substances on the same level?

Difference between natural and synthetic allergens

Among the allergenic components identified by the SCCS (European Committee for Consumer Safety), some are derived from essential oils. These fractions of essential oils, used in very small quantities, need to be declared in the INCI list if they exceed a certain threshold. However, not all substances on this list have the same allergenic potential.

According to studies conducted by dermatological institutes, it is essential to distinguish between frequently used substances with low allergenic potential and those that, although rarely used, trigger frequent reactions . This allows us to classify allergens according to their dangerousness.

List of allergens: from most to least problematic or dangerous for health

High allergenic potential:

• Oak Moos ( Evernia Prunastri Extract )
• Tree Moos ( Evernia Furfuracea Extract )
• Cinnamon
• Isoeugenol
• Methylheptincarbonate ( Methyl 2-octynoate )

Intermediate allergenic potential:

• Cinnamyl Alcohol
• Hydroxycitronellal
• Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde (Lyral)

The least problematic:

• Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
• Amyl Cinnamal
• Amylcinnamyl Alcohol
• Anise Alcohol
• Benzyl Alcohol
• Benzyl Benzoate
• Benzyl Cinnamate
• Benzyl Salicylate
• Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial, despite concerns over its endocrine disrupting potential)
• Citral
• Citronellol
• Coumarin (use not recommended in high quantities)
• Eugenol
• Farnesol
• Geraniol
• Hexyl Cinnamal
• Limonene
• Linalool
• Methyl 2-Octynoate

Conclusion

It is important not to systematically demonize cosmetics containing essential oil fractions such as EFFECT skincare . While synthetic fragrances present much more worrying risks to health and the environment, the **natural components** of essential oils, when used correctly, offer many benefits without the risks associated with chemicals. The " nuance" is essential to understanding their true impact.