Thyme ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as a botanical fragrance, masking agent, or skin-conditioning extract. In some formulas, it also supports the preservation system through aromatic plant constituents, but it is not usually relied on as the sole preservative.
What does Thyme do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily used as a botanical fragrance, masking agent, or skin-conditioning extract. In some formulas, it also supports the preservation system through aromatic plant constituents, but it is not usually relied on as the sole preservative.
Is Thyme clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally accepted when naturally sourced, but it carries higher sensitization potential than many bland botanical extracts. Fragrance allergen disclosure and IFRA-style use limits are relevant, especially in leave-on products.
Is Thyme sustainable?
This ingredient is plant-derived and its volatile constituents are generally biodegradable, with sustainability shaped mostly by agricultural practices, land use, and distillation energy. Supply quality can vary by crop origin, harvest timing, and extraction method.
Is Thyme COSMOS-approved?
It can be permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when produced from approved agricultural raw material using allowed extraction or distillation methods. Its Green Chemistry fit is reasonable because it is renewable and biodegradable, though steam distillation can be energy-intensive and allergen management is still needed.
How does Thyme work chemically?
This material is a complex botanical mixture with volatile terpenes, phenolic terpenes, and smaller polar plant compounds depending on whether it is supplied as an oil, extract, or hydrosol. Typical use is low, often about 0.01 to 0.5% for aromatic leave-on use and roughly 0.1 to 2% for extracts, with oxidation control, allergen limits, and packaging headspace important for stability.
Last updated 2026-05-13