Ingredient decoder

Cinnamyl alcohol: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Cinnamyl Alcohol

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Scent ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people.

  • Flavouring
  • Perfuming

Cinnamyl alcohol in plain English

Cinnamyl alcohol is a sweet, hyacinth-like scent compound used in fragrances. It is one of the scent components that must be named on EU labels above set levels because it can trigger allergic reactions in some people. For acne-prone skin it does not clog pores, but irritation and redness can make breakouts look and feel worse, so sensitive skin may do better without it.

Is cinnamyl alcohol bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Cinnamyl alcohol is not a proven pore-clogger, but scent ingredients like this can irritate sensitive skin, and irritated skin can make breakouts look and feel worse. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Cinnamyl Alcohol
  • Cinnamic alcohol
  • Styrone
  • 3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol

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Frequently asked questions

Is cinnamyl alcohol comedogenic?

Cinnamyl alcohol has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does cinnamyl alcohol do in skincare?

In short: scent ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people. In formulas it is used for flavouring and perfuming.

What else is cinnamyl alcohol called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, cinnamyl alcohol can also appear as Cinnamic alcohol, Styrone or 3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol.

Sources