α-pinene and δ-3-carene lead
Laboratoryα-Pinene makes up 38.47% of the oil and δ-3-carene 25.14%2.
Cypress oil (essential oil)
Cypress essential oil is the volatile oil of Cupressus sempervirens4. Its main constituents are α-pinene and δ-3-carene12. It is covered by Annex III of the cosmetics regulation (line 123), which requires a peroxide value of the substance below 10 mmol/L6. Cosmetic studies on the oil are rare and laboratory-based.
Cypress oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database4, from consolidated Regulation (EC) No 1223/20096 and from Regulation (EU) 2023/15455. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS OILCosIng lists several neighboring INCI names, depending on the plant part: LEAF OIL, BRANCH/LEAF OIL, LEAF/NUT/STEM OIL4
- Other names
- Cypress essential oilCypress oil; common cypress. The glossary uses the generic INCI CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS OIL
- CAS number
- 84696-07-1 / 8013-86-3
- EC number
- 283-626-9Linked to CAS 84696-07-1; CosIng gives no EC number for CAS 8013-86-34
- Botanical origin
- Cupressus sempervirensCosIng: volatile oil obtained from the whole plant, the common cypress4
- Composition
- α-pinene, δ-3-careneMajor constituents of the oil: α-pinene 38.47% and δ-3-carene 25.14% in one analyzed oil2. Tunisian varieties give different profiles: high α-pinene and limonene, or cedrol and totarol1
- CosIng functions
- Fragrance"Fragrance" for the glossary INCI. The neighboring INCI names add "Skin conditioning"4
- EU status
- Annex III, line 123: peroxide valueOil and extract of Cupressus sempervirens (CAS 84696-07-1, EC 283-626-9): peroxide value below 10 mmol/L. This limit applies to the substance, not to the finished product6. CosIng refers to this line (III/123)4
- Allergen to declare
- No mention specific to the oil; constituents namedThe oil is not named in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 and line 123 provides no dedicated mention. Two possible constituents, limonene (line 88) and pinene (line 371), are declared above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products5. 3-Carene (line 121) is subject only to the peroxide value below 10 mmol/L6
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
Three varieties, two chemical profiles
LaboratoryThe oils are mostly made of monoterpenes, with α-pinene and 3-carene as major compounds. The pyramidalis variety, from a subhumid climate, is rich in cedrol, cryptopinone and totarol; the horizontalis and numidica varieties, from a semi-arid climate, in α-pinene and limonene1. The variety chosen therefore changes the composition, and the labeling.
Skin (enzyme tests)Laboratory
Inhibition of two skin enzymes in a test tube
LaboratoryThe oil of the horizontalis variety inhibited tyrosinase and collagenase, two enzymes linked to skin pigmentation and aging. The pyramidalis variety has the best antioxidant activity (IC50 of 45.49 µg/mL in the DPPH test)1. These are tests without cells or skin: they do not demonstrate any effect of a finished product.
SafetyToxicology
Toxicity on zebrafish embryos
LaboratoryIn zebrafish embryos, the oil's toxicity depends on concentration, with an LC50 of 6.6 µg/mL. Computer predictions indicate that many components of the oil would not be toxic2. These models do not transfer to human skin.
Widespread terpenes, sensitizing once oxidized
Reviewα-Pinene and limonene are among the important constituents of more than 20 essential oils that caused contact allergies3. This is the reason for the peroxide value required in Annex III6.
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 cypress, the evidence is weak: few studies, all laboratory-based.
Which products use cypress oil?
Our white label catalog includes 1 formula with cypress oil: the key active in 1 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
1Body
Cypress and lemon essential oils in the light legs massage oil, with argan oil and plant extracts.
In our formulas, it is most often paired with
Coconut 1Arnica extracts 1Argan oil 1Apricot kernel oil 1Horse chestnut 1Cypress, eucalyptus or tea tree oil?
Three essential oils often compared when choosing a fragrance. Their chemistry differs, so does their labeling.
| Cypress | Eucalyptus | Tea tree | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominant constituents | α-pinene (38.47%) and δ-3-carene (25.14%) in one studied oil2 | 1,8-cineole, more than 50% of Eucalyptus globulus oil3 | Terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, 1,8-cineole, α-terpinene, α-terpineol, p-cymene, α-pinene7 |
| Annex III of the cosmetics regulation | Line 123: peroxide value below 10 mmol/L, no dedicated mention6 | Eucalyptus globulus oil named (line 355)5 | Oil not named; α-terpinene, terpinolene, limonene and pinene named5 |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 1 formula | 2 formulas | 3 formulas |
Frequently asked questions about cypress oil
What is cypress essential oil?
What are the benefits of cypress oil in cosmetics?
Do I have to declare cypress oil in the ingredient list?
The oil appears in the list under its INCI name, like any ingredient. It is not named among the allergens of Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, but two of its possible constituents, limonene and pinene, are: they are declared above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products in the finished product5. Check with the technical data sheet of the oil.
What is the peroxide value required for cypress?
Annex III, line 123, requires a peroxide value below 10 mmol/L for Cupressus sempervirens oil and extract. It measures the oxidation of the raw material: the limit applies to the substance, not to the finished product6. Hence the importance of a fresh oil stored away from air.
Is cypress oil risky?
Are all cypress oils identical?
No. Three Tunisian varieties of Cupressus sempervirens give two chemical profiles: one rich in cedrol and totarol, the other in α-pinene and limonene1. Ask for the certificate of analysis of the batch.
Can you manufacture a cypress product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers one cypress formula (light legs massage 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.
- Medini H, Khouja M, Khouja ML, Banfi S, Elaissi A. Chemotaxonomy and bioactivity of Cupressus sempervirens varieties essential oils: insights into their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential. Chem Biodivers. 2025;22(12):e01650. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202501650
- 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
- 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 CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS OIL (CAS 84696-07-1 / 8013-86-3, EC 283-626-9 / -). 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
- 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
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