In short
Linalool is a terpene alcohol found in lavender, bergamot, coriander, ho wood and hundreds of other plants. It is one of the most widely used perfumery materials, valued as a fresh floral-woody blender.
What Linalool smells like
Linalool has, in Arctander's words, a light, fresh, floral-woody odour with a sweet nuance almost like petitgrain. Trade descriptions add a faint citrus edge. Its two mirror-image forms differ slightly: the laevo form (licareol, as in rosewood and lavender) reads more woody, the dextro form (coriandrol, as in coriander) sweeter and more floral. It diffuses well but is not tenacious. It is a major constituent of lavender, coriander, rosewood and bergamot oils, and one of the 26 fragrance allergens individually named in EU cosmetics law.
- Leading note
- Fresh floral-woody
- Supporting facets
- Lavender-like, citrus, petitgrain
- Faint facets
- Sweet
- Character
- Light, fresh, clean, diffusive
What makes Linalool distinctive
It is the fresh, light floral-woody note that lavender, bergamot, coriander and rosewood share — familiar enough to read as 'clean' on its own.
How Linalool is used
One of the most widely used perfume materials: originally a muguet ingredient, now used in floral, oriental, ambery, aldehydic and herbaceous types, in lavender, lilac and muguet accords, and to support bergamot.
Typical role: blender (smooths the joins between other materials); backbone (used in large proportions as a structural material of an accord).
How Linalool differs from similar materials
- Linalyl Acetate
- Linalyl acetate is sweeter and fruitier, bergamot-lavender; linalool is the lighter, floral-woody alcohol.
- Ethyl Linalool
- Givaudan describes ethyl linalool as sweeter and less agrestic; Arctander as softer, more floral-woody and less citrus, and slower to evaporate. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Tetrahydrolinalool
- BASF describes tetrahydrolinalool as less woody and herbal, more floral and much more stable; it is also weaker than linalool. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Ho Leaf Oil
- Ho leaf oil is a natural, nearly pure linalool, softer and rounder, with a faint camphor; linalool itself is cleaner and simpler.
- Coranol
- Firmenich describes Coranol as reminiscent of coriander linalool but much longer-lasting and very stable. (compared directly by a cited source)
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
Oxidises in air to sensitising hydroperoxides, which is why IFRA sets a specification on its peroxide value; use an antioxidant and store cold. Linalool is a declarable allergen.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Floral / Citrus
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 78-70-6
- Molecular formula
- C10H18O
- Molecular weight
- 154.25 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 6549, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 19 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering Linalool:
- "Linalool" — Specification, 38th Amendment, published 2004-01
Limits differ by product category and are set out in the Standard itself; this page does not reproduce them. The list above reflects the library as read on 19 October 2026.
Linalool is one of the 26 fragrance allergens listed individually in Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (label name: Linalool), which must be named on cosmetic labels above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products. Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 extended the list; see the fragrance allergens list.
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. It has a harmonised EU classification (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, Annex VI): H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory classify it (2,927 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (97.2% of reports); H319 causes serious eye irritation (79.9% of reports); H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (61.7% of reports). 4 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. A skin sensitiser classification concerns handling the neat material and the dose in a finished product; the IFRA Standards, where they apply, set the limits. Unless it is harmonised, this is the notifiers' own classification, not a binding one.
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Linalyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Fruity — fruity, floral, bergamot, lavender
-
Bergamot Oil (Expressed)
Essential oil · Citrus / Aromatic — citrus, zesty, floral, tea-like
-
Lavender Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Floral — lavender, herbal, floral, fresh
-
Hedione
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — jasmine, transparent, citrus, airy
-
Coriander Seed Oil
Essential oil · Spicy / Floral — spicy, floral, fresh, woody
Linalool is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Acetaldehyde Ethyl Linalyl Acetal, Bay Laurel Leaf Oil, Benzyl Formate, beta-Ocimene, Coranol and Ethyl Linalool.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 91 published formulas
Linalool is an ingredient in 48 perfume formulas, 37 accords and 6 bases in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Linalool
Is Linalool natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Linalool may be made by synthesis or obtained from natural sources, so check the supplier's specification if the distinction matters to you.
What is the CAS number of Linalool?
78-70-6. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Linalool?
Linalool is used in 91 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Açaí Accord, Apple Cellar and Apricot Dust. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Is Linalool covered by an IFRA Standard?
Yes. The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering it: "Linalool" — Specification, 38th Amendment. The limits depend on the product category; read the Standard itself before formulating.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 6549, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- IFRA — Standards Library, read 19 October 2026.
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III.
- Scentspiracy — Linalool — distributor's description.
- Scent.vn — Linalool (quoting Arctander) — distributor's description.
- S. Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (1969), as quoted by secondary sources — published perfumery reference.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: several independent published descriptions, which agree. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.