Eugenol

Eugenol 1
Eugenol 2
AKA: 97-53-0, 4-Allyl-2-methoxyphenol, 4-Allylguaiacol, Eugenic acid, Allylguaiacol, Caryophyllic acid, P-Eugenol, 2-Methoxy-4-prop-2-enylphenol, P-Allylguaiacol
Allergen Warning
⚠️ EU Fragrance Allergen
Synthetic
Fragrance
Not Clean
Eugenol is a phenylpropanoid formally derived from guaiacol with an allyl chain substituted para to the hydroxy group. It is a major component of clove essential oil, and exhibits antibacterial, analgesic and antioxidant properties. It has been widely used in dentistry to treat toothache and pulpitis. It has a role as a sensitiser, a volatile oil component, an antibacterial agent, an analgesic, an antineoplastic agent, a flavouring agent, an EC 1.4.3.4 (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor, a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, an anaesthetic, a radical scavenger, an allergen, an anti-inflammatory agent, an apoptosis inducer, a NF-kappaB inhibitor and a human blood serum metabolite. It is an alkenylbenzene, a monomethoxybenzene, a phenylpropanoid and a member of phenols. It is functionally related to a guaiacol.
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C10H12O2
Mol. Weight
164.20
CAS #
97-53-0
State
Eugenol appears as clear colorless pale yellow or amber-colored liquid. Odor of cloves. Spicy pungent taste. (NTP, 1992)
Functions
Fragrance
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Quells irritation
EWG
3
CIR
Insufficient
Pregnancy
—
CIR Safety Findings
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USAunder review
CANADA✔ permitted
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR