Camphor in cosmetics

Camphor (INCI CAMPHOR, bornan-2-one) is extracted from the camphor tree or synthesized from turpentine1. CosIng classes it as a denaturant, fragrance and plasticiser7. It is named in EU Annex III: its presence must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, with no maximum concentration8 9. It is toxic to young children if swallowed2.

Mohamed El HjoujiFounder and CEO · Updated November 3, 2026 · Reading time 8 min

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Camphor at a glance

Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database7, Regulation (EU) 2023/15458 and the consolidated Regulation (EC) No 1223/20099. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.

INCI name: CAMPHORPh. Eur. name: camphora7
Other names: Bornan-2-one1,7,7-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one; Camphor7
CAS number: 464-49-3 / 76-22-2Annex III also cites 21368-68-3 and 464-48-28 9
EC number: 207-355-2 / 200-945-0Annex III also cites 244-350-4 and 207-354-78 9
Origin: Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora, Lauraceae) or synthesis from turpentineTraditionally obtained by distilling camphor tree wood; camphor is a major component of the essential oil of many aromatic plants1. A camphor tree leaf oil can be of the camphor chemotype or of another type6
CosIng functions: Denaturant, fragrance, plasticiser"Denaturant", "Fragrance" and "Plasticiser"7
EU status: Named in Annex III, line 331: declaration, no maximum concentrationLine added by Regulation (EU) 2023/15458. The CosIng entry consulted shows no cosmetic restriction7. No entry for camphor in Annexes II and III apart from this line9
Allergen to declare: Yes, as "Camphor"Above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product8. Non-compliant products could be placed on the market until 31 July 2026 (deadline passed) and may remain available until 31 July 20288.
Not to be confused with: "Benzylidene camphor" derivatives3-Benzylidene camphor (Annex II, line 1379) and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (line 1730) are banned in cosmetics9. They are different substances from camphor. Other derivatives (benzylidene camphor sulfonic acid, polyacrylamidomethyl benzylidene camphor, camphor benzalkonium methosulfate) are authorized UV filters, capped at 6%9
Safety: Toxic if swallowed, especially in childrenNo CIR assessment reviewed. Clinical poisoning data in young children and adults2 3

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

Origin and compositionChemistry

Natural or synthetic

Review

2013 review

Camphor is distilled from camphor tree wood, but can also be synthesized, mostly from turpentine. The review lists it among cosmetic fragrances and also notes its use as a skin penetration enhancer1.

One camphor chemotype out of six

Laboratory

974 trees from 35 populations13 provinces of ChinaHydrodistillation, GC-MS and GC-FID

Cinnamomum camphora leaf oil falls into six main chemotypes: eucalyptol, nerolidol, camphor, linalool, selina and mixed. Camphor content decreases with longitude. Camphor tree oil is therefore not always rich in camphor6.

Toxicity and absorptionToxicology

Small amounts swallowed are dangerous for children

Review

2004 reviewUS poison control center data

In children, swallowing 500 mg or more is cited as a cause of death; 750 to 1,000 mg are associated with seizures and deaths. Products with 10% camphor contain 500 mg in 5 mL. Under 6 years, an exposure of 500 mg or more requires emergency care2.

Effects that can last more than 48 hours

Case report

Case report and literature reviewIngestion by a 25-year-old woman

Symptoms usually last 24 to 48 hours, but in this case delirium and headaches persisted 6 days after ingestion, with a return to normal on day 19. The authors call for better public information3.

Low systemic exposure through the skin at usage doses

Clinical trial

24 volunteers, 3 groups of 82, 4 or 8 commercial patches (camphor, menthol, methyl salicylate)8 hours

With 8 patches, the peak plasma concentration of camphor is 41.0 ng/mL, versus 26.8 ng/mL with 4 patches; its terminal half-life is 5.6 hours. The authors conclude a relatively low systemic exposure, even with an unrealistic number of patches4.

A contact allergy to a camphor-scented chest ointment

Case report

Single case report

A woman developed a contact allergy after applying a chest ointment containing camphor, menthol, thymol and turpentine, eucalyptus, cedar leaf and nutmeg oils. The authors do not name camphor as the cause: it is a case presentation5.

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 can use camphor?

No formula in our white label catalog features camphor yet. Our formulation lab can add it to a custom formula or to a catalog formula. Its common uses:

Face

Very rare use: supporting fragrance, with mandatory declaration above 0.001% in leave-on products.

Body

Scented balms and massage oils, not to be intended for young children.

Hair

Fragrance of hair care, with mandatory declaration above 0.01% in a rinse-off product.

Camphor, clove, wintergreen or boswellia?

Four aromatic materials sometimes combined in the same care fragrance. Their regulatory status differs: check it before choosing.

	Camphor	Clove	Wintergreen	Boswellia
Substance named in Annex III	Camphor, line 3318	Eugenol, line 719	Methyl salicylate, line 3249	α-pinene and β-pinene, line 3718
Oil or resin named in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545	Not applicable: a chemical substance is named8	Yes: Eugenia caryophyllus oil, line 3568	No: no line for Gaultheria8 9	No: no line for Boswellia or frankincense8 9
Concentration limit	None: declaration only8	None: declaration only8 9	Yes, by product: 0.002% to 2.52% methyl salicylate9	None for the material; peroxide value below 10 mmol/L for pinene8

Frequently asked questions about camphor

What is camphor?

It is a ketone, bornan-2-one, extracted from camphor tree wood or synthesized from turpentine1. Its INCI name is CAMPHOR7.

What is camphor used for in cosmetics?

CosIng classifies it as a denaturant, fragrance and plasticiser7. The literature describes it as a cosmetic fragrance and a skin penetration enhancer1. We found no controlled cosmetic trial on skin.

Is camphor dangerous?

If swallowed, yes, especially in young children: 500 mg or more is cited as a cause of death under 6 years2, and effects can last more than 48 hours in adults3. Through the skin, a study on commercial patches finds low systemic exposure4. Camphor must be kept out of children's reach and is not suitable for baby products.

Is camphor banned or restricted in cosmetics?

Camphor is not banned: we found no entry in Annex II and no maximum concentration in Annex III9. It is only named at line 331, with a declaration requirement8. The banned "benzylidene camphor" substances (Annex II, lines 1379 and 1730) are different molecules9.

Do I have to declare camphor in the ingredient list?

Yes. Since Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, camphor is named in Annex III (line 331) and is declared above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product8. The declaration should be confirmed with your regulatory manager when the camphor is supplied by an essential oil.

Is camphor allergenic?

Data are scarce: we found only one case of contact allergy to a chest ointment that contained it along with many other substances, without naming camphor as the cause5. It is nonetheless on the list of allergens to declare8. A tolerance test on the finished product remains the rule.

Can you manufacture a camphor product for my brand?

Camphor is not a featured material in our catalog. Our ISO 22716 certified lab can study a custom formula, with a check of the labeling mentions. Samples of our catalog formulas are free.

Sources

Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.

Chen W, Vermaak I, Viljoen A. Camphor: a fumigant during the Black Death and a coveted fragrant wood in ancient Egypt and Babylon: a review. Molecules. 2013;18(5):5434-5454. doi:10.3390/molecules18055434
Love JN, Sammon M, Smereck J. Are one or two dangerous? Camphor exposure in toddlers. J Emerg Med. 2004;27(1):49-54. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2004.02.010
Santos CD, Cabot JC. Persistent effects after camphor ingestion: a case report and literature review. J Emerg Med. 2015;48(3):298-304. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2014.05.015
Martin D, Valdez J, Boren J, Mayersohn M. Dermal absorption of camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate in humans. J Clin Pharmacol. 2004;44(10):1151-1157. doi:10.1177/0091270004268409
Noiles K, Pratt M. Contact dermatitis to Vicks VapoRub. Dermatitis. 2010;21(3):167-169. PMID 20487662
Zhang T, Zheng Y, Fu C, et al. Chemical variation and environmental influence on essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora. Molecules. 2023;28(3):973. doi:10.3390/molecules28030973
European Commission. CosIng, entry CAMPHOR (CAS 464-49-3 / 76-22-2, EC 207-355-2 / 200-945-0). 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 of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated version of 1 May 2025 (Annexes II, III and VI). eur-lex.europa.eu

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