1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate
ReviewGC-MS analysis identifies 1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate as the main components1.
Cardamom oil (essential oil)
Cardamom essential oil is the volatile oil of the dried seeds of Elettaria cardamomum7. Its main constituents are 1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate1. The oil is not named in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, but several of its constituents are: limonene, linalyl acetate, terpineol8. No cosmetic clinical study was kept.
Cardamom oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database7, from Regulation (EU) 2023/15458 and from consolidated Regulation (EC) No 1223/20099. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- ELETTARIA CARDAMOMUM SEED OIL
- Other names
- Cardamom essential oilCardamom oil. Not to be confused with black cardamom, another spice covered in the literature1
- CAS number
- 8000-66-6 / 85940-32-5
- EC number
- 288-922-1Linked to CAS 85940-32-5; CosIng gives no EC number for CAS 8000-66-67
- Botanical origin
- Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum, Zingiberaceae)CosIng: volatile oil obtained from the dried ripe seeds7
- Composition
- 1,8-cineole, α-terpinyl acetateMain constituents of green and black cardamom according to a 2022 review1. CosIng also cites sabinene, α-terpineol, borneol, limonene and terpinene7. Depending on the extraction process tested, limonene reaches 40.54% or eucalyptol 24.31%3
- CosIng functions
- Fragrance, tonic"Fragrance", "Perfuming" and "Tonic"7
- EU status
- Not named in the annexesThe oil appears neither in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 nor in Annex III consolidated as of 1 May 2025, and CosIng indicates no specific restriction789
- Allergen to declare
- No mention specific to the oil; constituents namedDepending on the oil, constituents named by the regulation may be present: limonene (line 88), linalyl acetate (337), terpineol (343) in Regulation (EU) 2023/15458, linalool (line 84) and geraniol (line 78) in the consolidated Annex III9. Each is declared above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products in the finished product
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
An oil rich in monoterpenes
LaboratoryThe oil is abundant in monoterpenes, with α-terpinyl acetate predominating2. A 2023 study also finds linalool, linalyl acetate, α-terpineol and 1,8-cineole in it4.
The extraction process changes the profile
LaboratoryLimonene dominates (up to 40.54%), followed by eucalyptol (up to 24.31%). Depending on pretreatment time and temperature, the levels of 3-carene, eucalyptol, α-citral or geraniol vary3. Comparing batches therefore requires a certificate of analysis.
Fragrance useFragrance
Essential oils as sources of cosmetic fragrance
ReviewEssential oils are sources of fragrance for cosmetics. Linalool, geraniol, limonene, citronellol and citral are widely used fragrance components5. Several are among the substances to be declared.
SafetyToxicology
Widespread terpenes in allergenic oils
ReviewLimonene, linalool and α-pinene are among the important constituents of more than 20 essential oils that caused contact allergies6. We found no tolerance data specific to cardamom oil.
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. For cardamom, the cosmetic evidence is weak: no clinical study was kept.
Which products use cardamom oil?
Our white label catalog includes 1 formula with cardamom oil, always as a supporting ingredient. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
1Raw materials and more
In our formulas, it is most often paired with
Rosemary essential oils 1Cardamom, ginger or eucalyptus oil?
Two Zingiberaceae and a eucalyptus, three essential oils whose chemistry, and therefore labeling, differs.
| Cardamom | Ginger | Eucalyptus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominant constituents | 1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate1 | α-zingiberene, citral, geranyl acetate depending on the oil10 | 1,8-cineole, more than 50% of Eucalyptus globulus oil6 |
| Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 | Oil not named; linalyl acetate, limonene and terpineol named8 | Oil not named; citral, citronellol, limonene and geranyl acetate named8 | Eucalyptus globulus oil named (line 355)8 |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 1 formula | 2 formulas | 2 formulas |
Frequently asked questions about cardamom oil
What is cardamom essential oil?
What are the benefits of cardamom in cosmetics?
Do I have to declare cardamom oil in the ingredient list?
The oil appears in the list under its INCI name, like any ingredient. It is named neither in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 nor in Annex III89. Several constituents it may contain are: limonene, linalyl acetate, terpineol, linalool, geraniol. They are declared above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products in the finished product, depending on their content in the oil used. Check with the technical data sheet.
What is the composition of cardamom oil?
Is cardamom oil risky?
We found neither a CIR assessment nor an SCCS opinion on this oil. Several of its constituents, such as limonene and linalool, are frequent in the oils that caused contact allergies6: tolerance tests on the finished product are required. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.
Is cardamom the same as other spices of the same name?
Can you manufacture a cardamom product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers one cardamom formula (mouth spray) 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
- Natural vs synthetic cosmetics: pros, cons and emerging trendsWhere natural ingredients, essential oils included, raise formulation questions
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- Abdullah, Ahmad N, Tian W, et al. Recent advances in the extraction, chemical composition, therapeutic potential, and delivery of cardamom phytochemicals. Front Nutr. 2022;9:1024820. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1024820
- Hitl M, Radovanović K, Urumović K, et al. Queen of spices, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, Zingiberaceae): in vitro assessment of biological potential. Molecules. 2026;31(14):2430. doi:10.3390/molecules31142430
- Teresa-Martínez GD, Rodriguez-Castillo P, Alonzo-Macías M, et al. Modulation of the volatile profile of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) essential oil by non-thermal instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) technology: a novel approach in food processing. Food Sci Nutr. 2026;14(1):e71395. doi:10.1002/fsn3.71395
- Pavarino M, Marengo A, Cagliero C, et al. Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton essential oil: an interesting source of bioactive specialized metabolites as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Plants (Basel). 2023;12(19):3463. doi:10.3390/plants12193463
- Sharmeen JB, Mahomoodally FM, Zengin G, Maggi F. Essential oils as natural sources of fragrance compounds for cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. Molecules. 2021;26(3):666. doi:10.3390/molecules26030666
- de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential oils, part III: chemical composition. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):161-169. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000193
- European Commission. CosIng, entry ELETTARIA CARDAMOMUM SEED OIL (CAS 8000-66-6 / 85940-32-5, EC - / 288-922-1). 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
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products, consolidated version of 1 May 2025 (Annex III). eur-lex.europa.eu
- Höferl M, Stoilova I, Wanner J, et al. Composition and comprehensive antioxidant activity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil from Ecuador. Nat Prod Commun. 2015;10(6):1085-1090. doi:10.1177/1934578x1501000672
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