Linalool is a common constituent of essential oils, particularly lavender oil but also Ceylon cinnamon, sassafras, orange flower, bergamot, artemisia balchanorum, ylang ylang oils and more. Some think that lavender oil shows sedative and antibacterial properties.

Let us see linalool features which make it acceptable according to Bensos’ Criteria: it is readily biodegradable, it shows low toxicity towards aquatic organisms.

A bioaccumulation parameter indicates it is probably bioaccumulative; however some mammals’ metabolism makes linalool, after absorption, excretable by urine as more watersoluble molecules, even though some days after. Let us consider it a border-line case until proven otherwise, from this point of view.

Now let us see features that make linalool unacceptable according to Bensos Criteria. First of all it is a strong allergen: linalool is one of 26 allergens listed into Directive 15/2003/CE, so it must be indicated on the products label if its concentration is more than 0,01% (for products to be rinsed) or more than 0,001% (for leave-on products, like moisturizing creams). Essential oils molecules are little and light – in fact their fragrance spread out overwhere – and easily pass through protective barriers like placenta in pregnants women; we at Bensos think that phoetus must be protected from strong allergens, so we do put essential oils neither in detergents nor in body creams.

A further significant reason not to use lavender oil and derivatives is that linalool, together with tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil, is strongly suspected to be an endocrine disruptor, showing oestrogen-like and antiandrogenic activities. Epidemiological studies are under way; so far in vitro tests were made, as well as some publications about prepubescent gynecomastia (children with hormonal problems, occuring in anomalous breast growing) case-studies, that gave rise to great concern and that have been linked with the use of soaps and lotions containing lavender and tea tree oils. Scientists fear that such oils may contribute to occurrance of breast cancer, or even interfere with therapy in ill women.

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