patchouli ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used as a fragrance component and fixative, adding a long-lasting earthy, woody note while helping anchor more volatile scent materials.
What does patchouli do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used as a fragrance component and fixative, adding a long-lasting earthy, woody note while helping anchor more volatile scent materials.
Is patchouli clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is accepted in many natural-leaning formulas but carries the usual essential-oil caveat, potential skin sensitization, especially in leave-on products or when oxidized. Brands typically manage it through low use levels, allergen disclosure, and IFRA-based fragrance limits.
Is patchouli sustainable?
This material is plant-derived and commonly obtained by steam distillation, with generally good biodegradability and low environmental persistence. Its footprint depends on crop practices, yield, land use, and the energy required for distillation.
Is patchouli COSMOS-approved?
It is generally permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when produced from allowed botanical feedstocks and compliant processing methods. It fits Green Chemistry better than many synthetic fragrance materials because it is renewable and physically extracted, though distillation energy and sensitization potential keep it from a fully uncomplicated profile.
How does patchouli work chemically?
This material is a complex volatile oil rich in sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene alcohols, which gives it slower evaporation and stronger fixative behavior than many lighter aroma materials. It is oil-soluble, sensitive to air and light, and typically used at low fragrance levels guided by product type and IFRA category limits.
Last updated 2026-05-13