1,8-cineole dominates the oil
ReviewIn most essential oils, 2 to 5 components make up more than 50 to 60% of the oil. In Eucalyptus globulus oil, a single one dominates: 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), above 50%1.
Eucalyptus oil (essential oil)
Eucalyptus essential oil is the volatile oil of Eucalyptus globulus leaves8. Its dominant constituent is 1,8-cineole, more than 50% of the oil1. It is named in Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2023/1545: its presence must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products9. The CIR assessment finds it safe if the formula is non-sensitizing3.
Eucalyptus oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database8 and from Regulation (EU) 2023/15459. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OILCosIng also lists EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF/TWIG OIL, the oil of leaves and twigs (CAS 84625-32-1)8
- Other names
- Eucalyptus essential oilEucalyptus globulus oil. Syn. Yuukari Yu (Japanese) according to CosIng8
- CAS number
- 8000-48-4 / 84625-32-1
- EC number
- 283-406-2Linked to CAS 84625-32-1; CosIng gives no EC number for CAS 8000-48-48
- Botanical origin
- Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae)CosIng: volatile oil obtained from the fresh leaves of Eucalyptus globulus and other eucalyptus species8
- Composition
- 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), more than 50% of the oilIn an Iranian Eucalyptus globulus oil, eucalyptol reaches 83.5%. The share depends on the species: 64.1% for E. camaldulensis and 29.5% for E. microtheca in the same study2. Dominance of 1,8-cineole confirmed by the de Groot review1
- CosIng functions
- Skin conditioning, fragrance"Skin conditioning" and "Perfuming"8
- EU status
- Named in Annex III, line 355Eucalyptus globulus oil, line added by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. CosIng refers to this line (III/355)89
- Allergen to declare
- Yes, as "Eucalyptus Globulus Oil"Above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product. Line 355 covers EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OIL and LEAF/TWIG OIL. Non-compliant products may be placed on the market until 31 July 2026 and made available until 31 July 20289
- Safety
- 2023 CIR assessment: safe if the formula is non-sensitizingThe CIR panel assessed 6 ingredients derived from Eucalyptus globulus. It recommends avoiding, within one formula, a combination of botanicals that supply the same constituents of concern3
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Oil compositionChemistry
The eucalyptol level varies with the species
LaboratoryEucalyptol makes up 83.5% of E. globulus oil, 64.1% of E. camaldulensis oil and 29.5% of E. microtheca oil. For E. globulus, 98.54% of the compounds were identified2. Choosing the species and the oil grade therefore matters for formula reproducibility.
SkinAbsorption and tolerance
Eucalyptol builds up in the stratum corneum
LaboratoryEucalyptol, menthol, camphor and pinenes did not cross the skin into the receptor fluid. Eucalyptol was the most retained, in the stratum corneum as well as in the epidermis and dermis. The authors conclude that these terpenes readily penetrate the stratum corneum4. The result concerns an ointment, not a pure oil.
A blend of oils including eucalyptus, over 90 days
Clinical trialThe oils in the blend were not phototoxic in the laboratory. Applied to the skin, the blend improved the skin barrier and hydration and lowered sebum, with no reported adverse effect. The study does not allow these effects to be attributed to eucalyptus alone6.
Safety and accidental ingestionToxicology
A favorable CIR assessment, with a condition
ReviewThe panel concludes that these ingredients are safe in the present uses and concentrations, provided the formula is non-sensitizing. It points out that combined botanicals can supply the same constituents of concern3.
Accidental ingestion by young children
Observational study50 children had swallowed eucalyptus oil. The most frequent symptoms were coughing and vomiting; two children had seizures and recovered. The literature review lists 18 pediatric cases, including one death. The authors call for informing parents5.
Little direct clinical evidence
ReviewA 2026 review of Eucalyptus globulus notes that the data are mostly preclinical and that direct clinical evidence remains limited7.
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Evidence is flagged by level: clinical trial, review or laboratory.
Which products use eucalyptus oil?
Our white label catalog includes 2 formulas with eucalyptus oil, always as a supporting ingredient. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
1Body
Fragrance option of the traditional beldi black soap, alongside mint and orange blossom.
1Hair
Essential oil paired with rosemary, clove and tea tree in the rosemary and black seed hair oil.
In our formulas, it is most often paired with
Clove 1Castor oil 1Traditional black soap paste 1Rosemary 1Tea tree 1Eucalyptus, tea tree or cypress oil?
Three essential oils often compared when choosing a fragrance. Their chemistry differs, so does their labeling.
| Eucalyptus | Tea tree | Cypress | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominant constituents | 1,8-cineole, more than 50% of Eucalyptus globulus oil1 | Terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, 1,8-cineole, α-terpinene, α-terpineol, p-cymene, α-pinene10 | α-pinene (38.47%) and δ-3-carene (25.14%) in one studied oil11 |
| Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 | Eucalyptus globulus oil named (line 355)9 | Oil not named; α-terpinene, terpinolene, limonene and pinene named9 | Oil not named in this text; limonene and pinene named9 |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 2 formulas | 3 formulas | 1 formula |
Frequently asked questions about eucalyptus oil
What is eucalyptus essential oil?
What are the benefits of eucalyptus oil in cosmetics?
What is the difference between Eucalyptus globulus and eucalyptol?
Do I have to declare eucalyptus oil in the ingredient list?
Yes, with a specific mention. Since Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, Eucalyptus globulus oil is named in Annex III (line 355) and is declared as "Eucalyptus Globulus Oil" above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product9. Non-compliant products may be placed on the market until 31 July 2026 and made available until 31 July 2028.
Is eucalyptus oil risky?
The main documented risk is accidental ingestion by young children: a poison control centre recorded 50 cases linked to eucalyptus oil, with seizures in two children, all of whom recovered5. For a brand, this argues for suitable packaging and clear labeling. The CIR assessment also requires a non-sensitizing formula3. During pregnancy, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.
Does eucalyptus oil penetrate the skin?
On ex vivo human skin, eucalyptol applied in an ointment built up in the stratum corneum and the epidermis without reaching the receptor fluid4. This is a laboratory result on one specific product and should not be generalized to every formula.
Can you manufacture a eucalyptus product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers 2 eucalyptus formulas (black soap, hair oil) that you can customize, or a custom formula. Samples are free.
Further reading
- Fragrance allergens 2026: Canada, EU, USA compliance checklist for white label brandsThe fragrance allergens to declare and what changes as the list is extended
- EU cosmetics regulations in 2026The European framework brands need to know in 2026
- Can a cosmetics lab in Morocco make products that meet European standards?What labeling and the product file require for the European market
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential oils, part III: chemical composition. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):161-169. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000193
- Sataie-Mokhtari T, Soltani-Nezhad S, Salehi Sardoei A, et al. GC-MS based chemical composition and in vitro […] activity of the essential oils of Eucalyptus cultivars. Sci Rep. 2026. doi:10.1038/s41598-026-54827-z
- Becker LC, Akinsulie A, Bergfeld WF, et al. Safety assessment of Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus)-derived ingredients as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2023;42(1_suppl):57S-92S. doi:10.1177/10915818231164354
- Cal K, Sopala M. Ex vivo skin absorption of terpenes from Vicks VapoRub ointment. Med Sci Monit. 2008;14(8):PI19-23. PMID 18668006
- Flaman Z, Pellechia-Clarke S, Bailey B, McGuigan M. Unintentional exposure of young children to camphor and eucalyptus oils. Paediatr Child Health. 2001;6(2):80-83. doi:10.1093/pch/6.2.80
- Infante VHP, Maia Campos PMBG, Gaspar LR, et al. Safety and efficacy of combined essential oils for the skin barrier properties: in vitro, ex vivo and clinical studies. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022;44(1):118-130. doi:10.1111/ics.12761
- Radbea OR, Dinu Ş, Chioibas DR, et al. Eucalyptus globulus: from botanical identity to cross-disciplinary preclinical relevance in dentistry, medicine, and nanotechnology. Plants (Basel). 2026;15(14):2121. doi:10.3390/plants15142121
- European Commission. CosIng, entry EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OIL (CAS 8000-48-4 / 84625-32-1, EC - / 283-406-2). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 of 26 July 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (Annex III). eur-lex.europa.eu
- de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Tea tree oil: contact allergy and chemical composition. Contact Dermatitis. 2016;75(3):129-143. doi:10.1111/cod.12591
- Akermi S, Smaoui S, Elhadef K, et al. Cupressus sempervirens essential oil: exploring the […] multitarget mechanisms, chemcomputational toxicity prediction, and safety assessment in zebrafish embryos. Molecules. 2022;27(9):2630. doi:10.3390/molecules27092630
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