Ionone ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a fragrance component, adding violet, woody, and powdery notes while helping round out a scent blend or mask base odors.
What does Ionone do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a fragrance component, adding violet, woody, and powdery notes while helping round out a scent blend or mask base odors.
Is Ionone clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this is a conventional fragrance material rather than a skin-benefit active, so scrutiny centers on disclosure and sensitization potential. It is generally accepted when used within fragrance safety limits, but very sensitive users may react, especially in leave-on products.
Is Ionone sustainable?
This material is often produced synthetically, though nature-identical versions can also come from plant-derived terpene feedstocks. It is expected to biodegrade more readily than persistent silicones or fluorinated materials, but sourcing transparency and aquatic-effect screening still matter for fragrance ingredients.
Is Ionone COSMOS-approved?
It can fit COSMOS only when supplied as a natural aromatic component meeting ISO 9235 and COSMOS fragrance rules; purely synthetic versions are not aligned with COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic formulas. Its Green Chemistry profile is strongest when made from renewable terpene feedstocks with efficient processing and good biodegradability.
How does Ionone work chemically?
The molecule is a C13 norisoprenoid, a cyclic unsaturated ketone with isomer-dependent odor character and a low odor threshold. In finished products it is typically used at trace fragrance levels, often well below 0.1%, and its level is governed by IFRA category limits; it is oil-soluble and can oxidize with air and light, so antioxidants and tight packaging help preserve odor quality.
Last updated 2026-05-13