Pentamethylheptenone

INCI: Pentamethylheptenone | Function: Fragrance | Type: Fragrance (Synthetic Ketone)

What Is Pentamethylheptenone?

Pentamethylheptenone is a synthetic ketone fragrance ingredient with a woody, amber-like scent. It is used in perfumery and cosmetic products as part of fragrance compositions to add depth and warmth. It belongs to the family of synthetic musk-related aroma chemicals, providing long-lasting base notes.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Long-lasting fragrance — provides base note persistence
+ Woody-amber scent profile — adds warmth and depth
+ Fixative properties — extends fragrance longevity

Pros

+ Good substantivity — lasts on skin for hours
+ Compatible with diverse fragrance compositions
+ Cost-effective fragrance ingredient

Cons

− Potential fragrance allergen — may cause contact dermatitis
− Synthetic — no natural counterpart
− Limited skin benefit beyond fragrance
− Not suitable for fragrance-free formulations

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Face, Body, Hair
Product Type	Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source	Synthetic
Natural Level	Synthetic

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	2/5
Comedogenic Rating	0/5
EWG Score	4/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	No limit	No limit	Allowed — fragrance
US (CIR/FDA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
Japan (MHLW)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
ASEAN	No limit	No limit	Allowed
China (NMPA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed

Typical Usage % by Product Type

Product Type	Typical %
Fragrance Compositions	0.1–5%
Perfumes	0.5–3%
Scented Lotions	0.05–0.5%

References

CosIng Database — Pentamethylheptenone. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
IFRA Standards — Fragrance Ingredient Safety Assessment.
EWG Skin Deep — Pentamethylheptenone. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

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