Oxacyclohexadecen-2-one ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a fragrance material used to add a soft musk odor and help extend the scent profile of a formula. It functions as part of a perfume blend rather than as a skin-conditioning or preservation ingredient.
What does Oxacyclohexadecen-2-one do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a fragrance material used to add a soft musk odor and help extend the scent profile of a formula. It functions as part of a perfume blend rather than as a skin-conditioning or preservation ingredient.
Is Oxacyclohexadecen-2-one clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it sits in the fragrance category, so disclosure and sensitization screening matter more than broad ingredient-list bans. It is generally viewed more favorably than older nitro and polycyclic musk materials, but it can still be limited by brand fragrance policies and IFRA concentration guidance.
Is Oxacyclohexadecen-2-one sustainable?
This material is typically produced synthetically, although related routes may use renewable feedstocks depending on supplier. It has a better environmental profile than many older persistent musk materials because it is expected to biodegrade more readily and has lower bioaccumulation concern.
Is Oxacyclohexadecen-2-one COSMOS-approved?
It is not automatically permitted in COSMOS-organic or COSMOS-natural products as a standalone synthetic fragrance molecule. It may fit better when supplied as part of a COSMOS-compliant natural fragrance system, but synthetic sourcing weakens its Green Chemistry alignment despite relatively favorable biodegradability.
How does Oxacyclohexadecen-2-one work chemically?
The molecule is an unsaturated macrocyclic lactone, a ring-shaped ester structure that gives a long-lasting, low-volatility odor profile. It is used at low fragrance-dose levels, is generally stable in typical cosmetic pH ranges, and should be assessed within the full fragrance concentrate for IFRA limits, oxidation control, and allergen disclosure requirements.
Last updated 2026-05-14