The CIR panel judges 8 ginger-derived ingredients safe in current uses, provided the formula does not sensitize, and raised concern about potential sensitizers such as citronellol. As with any essential oil, tolerance tests on the finished product are required. During pregnancy, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.

Ginger oil (essential oil)

Ginger essential oil is the volatile oil of the dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale5. Its composition varies widely: α-zingiberene, citral or geranyl acetate dominate depending on the oil1 2. It is not named in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, but citral and geranyl acetate are6. The 2026 CIR assessment concludes it is safe provided the formula is non-sensitizing4.

Mohamed El HjoujiFounder and CEO · Updated November 3, 2026 · Reading time 7 min

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Ginger oil at a glance

Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database5 and from Regulation (EU) 2023/15456. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.

INCI name: ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROOT OILUS INCI name: ZINGIBER OFFICINALE (GINGER) ROOT OIL5
Other names: Ginger essential oilGinger oil. Ginger extract is another ingredient, with another INCI name
CAS number: 8007-08-7
EC number: Not providedCosIng gives "-" for this INCI5
Botanical origin: Ginger (Zingiber officinale, Zingiberaceae)CosIng: volatile oil obtained from the dried rhizomes of ginger5
Composition: α-zingiberene, citral, geranyl acetate, campheneHighly variable. Ecuadorian oil: α-zingiberene 17.4%, citral (geranial 10.5% and neral 9.1%), camphene 7.8%, α-farnesene 6.8%, β-sesquiphellandrene 6.7%1. Sikkim cultivars: geranyl acetate 18.8% and zingiberene 16.3% for one, zingiberene 19.8% and geranial 16.5% for the other2
CosIng functions: Fragrance, tonic, skin conditioning"Fragrance", "Perfuming", "Tonic" and "Skin conditioning"5
EU status: Not named in the annexesThe oil does not appear in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 and CosIng indicates no specific restriction5 6
Allergen to declare: No mention specific to the oil; constituents namedRegulation (EU) 2023/1545 names citral, with its isomers geranial and neral (line 70), citronellol (86), limonene (88) and geranyl acetate (369). Each is declared above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products in the finished product, depending on its content in the oil used6
Safety: 2026 CIR assessment: safe if the formula is non-sensitizingThe CIR panel assessed 9 ingredients derived from ginger: 8 judged safe, one (leaf cell extract) insufficiently documented. It raised concern about potential sensitizers such as citronellol4. Exact list of ingredients to be checked in the report

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 Ecuadorian oil with 71 compounds

Laboratory

GC/FID/MS analysisRhizome oil from Ecuador2015 study

71 compounds were identified. The main ones are α-zingiberene (17.4%), citral (geranial 10.5% and neral 9.1%), camphene (7.8%), α-farnesene (6.8%) and β-sesquiphellandrene (6.7%)1.

Two Indian cultivars, two profiles

Laboratory

GC and GC-MS analysisBhaisa and Majulay cultivars from Sikkim60 constituents identified

Bhaisa oil contains mostly geranyl acetate (18.8%), zingiberene (16.3%) and geranial (8.2%). Majulay oil contains zingiberene (19.8%) and geranial (16.5%)2.

Harvest maturity changes the yield

Laboratory

Two varieties, two zones of Sri Lanka, three maturity stages2021 study

The oil yield falls as the rhizomes mature. Chemical intensities vary significantly only with the maturity stage, not with the variety. The authors recommend harvesting at 5 months3.

Skin (laboratory)Antioxidants

Antioxidant tests in the laboratory

Laboratory

Chemical tests and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeastRhizome oil from Ecuador

The oil neutralizes free radicals in a test tube, but protects less well against lipid oxidation than BHT. In yeast, it increases antioxidant enzymes and the viability of cells exposed to H2O2 at 1.6 mg/mL1. These are not results on human skin.

SafetyToxicology

A favorable CIR assessment, with a condition

Review

2026 assessment9 ingredients derived from ginger

The panel concludes that 8 of these ingredients are safe in the present uses and concentrations, provided the formula is non-sensitizing. The data are insufficient for the leaf cell extract. The panel raised concern about potential sensitizers, such as citronellol4.

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 ginger oil, the cosmetic evidence is weak: no clinical study was kept.

Which products use ginger oil?

Our white label catalog includes 2 formulas with ginger oil, always as a supporting ingredient. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).

1Face

Ginger extract in the BHA blemish care, with glycolic acid, niacinamide and centella asiatica.

Face creams1

1Hair

Ginger among the associated ingredients of the sulfate-free keratin shampoo, with orange blossom honey and argan oil.

Shampoos and conditioners1

In our formulas, it is most often paired with

Glycolic acid 1 Betaine 1 Centella asiatica 1Cucumber extract 1Argan oil 1

Ginger, cardamom or eucalyptus oil?

Two Zingiberaceae and a eucalyptus, three essential oils whose chemistry, and therefore labeling, differs.

	Ginger	Cardamom	Eucalyptus
Dominant constituents	α-zingiberene, citral, geranyl acetate depending on the oil1 2	1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate7	1,8-cineole, more than 50% of Eucalyptus globulus oil8
Regulation (EU) 2023/1545	Oil not named; citral, citronellol, limonene and geranyl acetate named6	Oil not named; linalyl acetate, limonene and terpineol named6	Eucalyptus globulus oil named (line 355)6
Carmel catalog formulas	2 formulas	1 formula	2 formulas

Frequently asked questions about ginger oil

What is ginger essential oil?

It is the volatile oil obtained from the dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale5. Its INCI name is ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROOT OIL. Its composition varies: α-zingiberene, citral or geranyl acetate dominate depending on the oil1 2.

What are the benefits of ginger oil in cosmetics?

CosIng classes it as a fragrance, tonic and skin conditioning agent5. We kept no cosmetic clinical trial: the only results found are antioxidant tests in the laboratory1. We therefore do not present any demonstrated effect on the skin.

Is ginger essential oil the same as ginger oil?

The term "ginger oil" is used for several preparations. This page covers the distilled essential oil, INCI ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROOT OIL5. Ginger extract, used in some of our care products, is another ingredient, with another INCI name.

Do I have to declare ginger oil in the ingredient list?

The oil appears in the list under its INCI name, like any ingredient. It is not named in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, but some of its constituents are: citral, citronellol, limonene, geranyl acetate. 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 used6. Check with the technical data sheet of the oil.

Are all ginger oils equal?

No. Two analyzed oils give very different profiles: citral above 19% in total in one1, geranyl acetate at 18.8% in the other2. The harvest stage also changes the yield3. Ask for the certificate of analysis of the batch.

Is ginger oil risky?

The CIR panel judges 8 ginger-derived ingredients safe in current uses, provided the formula does not sensitize, and raised concern about potential sensitizers such as citronellol4. As with any essential oil, tolerance tests on the finished product are required. During pregnancy, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.

Can you manufacture a ginger product for my brand?

Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers 2 ginger formulas (face care, shampoo) that you can customize, or a custom formula. Samples are free.

Sources

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

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
Sasidharan I, Venugopal VV, Menon AN. Essential oil composition of two unique ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) cultivars from Sikkim. Nat Prod Res. 2012;26(19):1759-1764. doi:10.1080/14786419.2011.571215
Jayasundara NDB, Arampath P. Effect of variety, location & maturity stage at harvesting, on essential oil chemical composition, and weight yield of Zingiber officinale Roscoe grown in Sri Lanka. Heliyon. 2021;7(3):e06560. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06560
Ferguson P, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety assessment of Zingiber officinale (ginger)-derived ingredients as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2026;45(1_suppl):5S-26S. doi:10.1177/10915818261425573
European Commission. CosIng, entry ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROOT OIL (CAS 8007-08-7, EC -). 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
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
de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential oils, part III: chemical composition. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):161-169. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000193

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Ginger oil at a glance

What the research says

Oil compositionChemistry

An Ecuadorian oil with 71 compounds

Two Indian cultivars, two profiles

Harvest maturity changes the yield

Skin (laboratory)Antioxidants

Antioxidant tests in the laboratory

SafetyToxicology

A favorable CIR assessment, with a condition

Which products use ginger oil?

1Face

1Hair

Ginger, cardamom or eucalyptus oil?

Frequently asked questions about ginger oil

Further reading

Sources

Tell us about your project