Perillaldehyde

Also known as: Perilla Aldehyde

INCI: Perillaldehyde | Function: Fragrance, Flavoring | Type: Terpenoid Aldehyde

What Is Perillaldehyde?

Perillaldehyde is a monoterpenoid aldehyde and the primary component of perilla essential oil, responsible for the herb's characteristic aroma. It occurs naturally in Perilla frutescens at concentrations of 50–70% in the essential oil. In cosmetics, it functions primarily as a natural fragrance component, but also exhibits antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Its fresh, herbaceous scent is valued in natural perfumery.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Natural fragrance — fresh herbaceous aroma from botanical source
+ Antimicrobial — inhibits gram-positive bacteria and fungi
+ Antioxidant — monoterpene structure provides free radical scavenging
+ Natural preservative aid — complementary to preservative systems

Pros

+ Naturally derived — from renewable plant source
+ Multi-functional — fragrance plus antimicrobial benefits
+ Traditional use in Asian herbal medicine
+ Biodegradable — environmentally preferable to synthetic musks

Cons

− Fragrance allergen — may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals
− Potent odor — requires careful dosage to avoid overpowering
− Oxidation-prone — aldehyde group can oxidize to acid
− IFRA restricted — must comply with fragrance standards

Specifications

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

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	3/5
Comedogenic Rating	0/5
EWG Score	4/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	IFRA limit	IFRA limit	Allowed — fragrance allergen listed
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	0.05–1%
Natural Perfumes	0.1–2%
Scented Lotions	0.01–0.1%

References

CosIng Database — Perillaldehyde. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
IFRA Standards — Perillaldehyde. https://ifrafragrance.org/
Tsuneki H et al (2010) — Pharmacological properties of perilla aldehyde. PMID: 20521878
EWG Skin Deep — Perillaldehyde. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

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