Peumus Boldus Leaf Oil

Also known as: Boldo Leaf Essential Oil

INCI: Peumus Boldus Leaf Oil | Function: Natural Fragrance, Antimicrobial | Type: Plant essential oil (Monimiaceae family, boldo)

What Is Peumus Boldus Leaf Oil?

Essential oil from boldo leaves. Contains ascaridole (a peroxide monoterpene), cineole, and linalool. Strong aromatic profile used in natural fragrances at very low concentrations. Ascaridole has antimicrobial properties but is also the primary safety concern — boldo oil must be carefully dosed and is restricted in some regions. Used primarily as a fragrance component, not as an active.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Antioxidant — boldine neutralizes free radicals and protects skin cells
+ Anti-inflammatory — helps calm skin irritation
+ Natural fragrance — distinctive herbal-woody aroma
+ Traditional Chilean herbal medicine — long history of medicinal use

Pros

+ Boldine is a well-researched natural antioxidant
+ Unique Chilean botanical — point of difference in formulation
+ Good free radical scavenging activity
+ Sustainably harvestable from South American forests

Cons

− Ascaridole content — potential toxicity at high concentrations
− Must use refined/low-ascaridole extracts for safety
− Limited cosmetic-specific safety data
− Strong sensitizer — must be heavily diluted
− Regulatory restrictions in some regions due to ascaridole

Specifications

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

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	3/5 (moderate-high — ascaridole content)
Comedogenic Rating	0-1/5
EWG Score	3/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	No limit	No limit	Allowed — ascaridole restrictions per IFRA
US (CIR/FDA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
Japan (MHLW)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
ASEAN	No limit	No limit	Allowed — follows EU
China (NMPA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed — listed in IECIC

Typical Usage % by Product Type

Product Type	Typical %
Fragrance blend	0.01–0.1%
Treatment cream	0.05–0.5%

References

O'Brien P et al. (2006) — Boldine antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. PMID: 16503755
Speisky H et al. (1991) — Antioxidant activity of boldine. PMID: 1911599
EU CosIng Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Tisserand R, Young R — Essential Oil Safety (boldo).

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