The Truth About “Natural” Perfumes: What Are Isolates and How to Spot Them
- by Ferlyn Genato
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
As clean beauty and natural wellness become more popular, the perfume industry is also riding the wave—marketing fragrances as "all-natural," "organic," or "plant-based." But what do these terms really mean? And are these perfumes truly natural, or just cleverly branded?
Here’s what most consumers don’t know: many “natural” perfumes contain isolates—single aromatic compounds extracted from plants. While these are derived from plants, they are often highly concentrated and can behave more like synthetic chemicals when used in perfumes. Keep in mind that isolates marketed as "natural isolates" are not necessarily natural and organic. Once taken from its natural environment, its characteristics and functions changes. Moreover, most of these marketed "natural isolates" often lack organic certification, meaning their extraction or processing may involve synthetic solvents or steps that alter their chemical structure—potentially compromising their purity and safety.
What Are Isolates in Perfume?
Isolates are individual scent molecules derived from essential oils or plant matter. Instead of using the whole oil (like rose or lavender), perfumers separate one compound—such as linalool or citronellol—for its distinctive aroma.
They’re often used in "natural" perfumes to:
Create consistency in scent
Highlight specific fragrance notes (like citrus or floral)
Create stronger projection
Replace unstable essential oils due to seasonal variations
While they are plant-derived, they’re still highly processed—and sometimes misleadingly marketed as “whole natural” or "Naturally Occurring" fragrances/scent, or "Natural Component".
How to Spot a “Natural” Perfume That’s Full of Isolates
If you're buying perfume for wellbeing, skin safety, allergy concerns, ethical, or sustainability, here’s what to watch for:
✅ 1. Read the Ingredient List (INCI)
Look out for chemical names like the ones on the table.
These are isolates. They can be plant derived—but their concentration can make them allergenic, especially when oxidized.
🛑 Tip: A truly whole essential oil perfume scent will list ingredients like "lavender essential oil" or "rose absolute," not isolated compounds alone.
How to spot isolates. Here’s a list of plant-derived isolates that are commonly used in natural perfumes. These isolates are typically obtained via methods such as steam distillation, cold pressing, or extraction (including CO₂ and solvent extraction), followed by fractional distillation or other techniques to isolate specific aromatic compounds.
Plant-Derived Isolates in Natural Perfumery – Toxicity Overview
Isolate | Source | Aroma | Toxicity Level / Threshold | Toxicity & Health Effects |
Linalool | Lavender, coriander, rosewood | Floral, fresh, slightly spicy | 1.25% (max usage in perfumes – IFRA) | Oxidizes on air exposure, forming allergens. Can cause skin sensitization, eczema in sensitive individuals. |
Geraniol | Rose, palmarosa, citronella | Sweet, floral, fruity | 0.1–1% (depending on application – IFRA) | Strong skin sensitizer; may cause allergic contact dermatitis. Moderate irritant to eyes and skin. |
Citral | Lemongrass, lemon myrtle | Strong lemon, citrus | 0.6% (leave-on products – IFRA) | Potent skin allergen, especially when oxidized. Causes dermatitis and eye irritation. |
Eugenol | Clove, cinnamon, bay leaf | Spicy, clove-like | 0.5–2.5% (depending on product – IFRA) | Sensitizing agent; overexposure may cause dermatitis, liver toxicity in high doses. |
Coumarin | Tonka bean, sweet clover | Sweet, vanilla-like, hay | Restricted to 0.1% in leave-on products (EU) | Can cause liver damage and blood thinning at high ingestion doses. Photosensitizing on skin. |
Limonene | Citrus peels (orange, lemon) | Bright citrus | 1.25% (IFRA limit varies) | Oxidizes easily into strong allergens; can cause contact dermatitis. Mild CNS depressant if inhaled in excess. |
Citronellol | Rose, geranium | Fresh, floral, citrusy | 0.2–0.5% (IFRA, depending on category) | Skin irritant and sensitizer; may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. |
Farnesol | Jasmine, neroli, acacia | Warm, floral, slightly woody | 0.1–0.8% (IFRA) | Mild skin sensitizer; may cause allergic reactions. Long-term safety concerns with repeated exposure. |
Isoeugenol | Ylang-ylang, clove | Sweet, spicy, clove-like | 0.02–0.2% (very low – IFRA) | High allergen; major contributor to fragrance allergy. Causes contact dermatitis and skin swelling. |
Benzyl alcohol | Jasmine, ylang-ylang | Light, floral | 1% (EU SCCS) | Low-level skin and eye irritant; in high doses, can cause CNS depression and respiratory issues. |
Methyl salicylate | Wintergreen, sweet birch | Minty, medicinal, sweet | Max 0.06% in perfumes (IFRA) | Toxic if ingested; mimics aspirin and can cause salicylate poisoning (nausea, dizziness, metabolic acidosis). Skin contact may cause irritation. |
Benzyl acetate | Jasmine, ylang-ylang | Fruity, sweet, floral | Limited by sensitization potential (IFRA restricted) | Can cause eye and skin irritation; mild allergen. Inhalation in high quantities may affect the nervous system. |
Indole | Jasmine, orange blossom | Animalic, fecal-floral | Low usage (below 0.1%) | Low acute toxicity but unpleasant odor in high amounts; possible neurotoxic effects in lab animals. |
Cinnamaldehyde | Cinnamon bark | Spicy, warm | <0.1% (restricted – strong sensitizer) | Highly irritating to skin and mucous membranes; can cause burning sensation, allergic reactions. |
Methyl anthranilate | Orange blossom, jasmine | Grape-like, sweet | Limited in EU due to phototoxicity | Phototoxic; may cause skin burns when exposed to sunlight. Some concern for liver toxicity in large doses. |
Notes on Toxicity
Toxicity depends on dose, application type (topical, inhaled, ingested), and individual sensitivity.
Many of these compounds are safe when used within recommended limits by IFRA or EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Oxidation of isolates (especially limonene, linalool) increases allergenic potential.
Photosensitizing compounds can cause phototoxic reactions under sunlight exposure.
✅ 2. Look for Transparency
Brands that use isolates responsibly usually disclose:
Whether the isolate is plant derived or synthetically derived. Know that "Naturally Occurring" and "Naturally Sourced" are different from "Plant Derived". AICIS defines "Naturally Occurring Chemical" as, chemical occurring in a natural environment that is extracted without chemical change. "Isolates" have gone through a chemical change by fractional distillation, therefore must not be advertised as "Naturally Occurring", "Naturally Derived", "Naturally Sourced", or "Natural Component". Particulary in the absence of organic certification. The INCI chemical name of "plant-derived isolates" and "synthetically derived isolates" is the same. Hence, it is very easy for brands and perfumers to disguise isolates as plant-derived. Consumers must be careful and must ask proof of certification from brands that are claiming isolates in their ingredients as "natural component".
IFRA (International Fragrance Association) compliance
Skin safety test results or dilution levels
🌱 Clean brands will say: “No Isolates" or "0% Isolates" or "Perfume: (Essential Oils)"
✅ 3. Understand the Scent Families
Knowing the scent families and what isolates they often use helps you decode a perfume’s real nature:
Scent Family | Common Isolates | Used As |
Floral | Linalool, Geraniol, Nerol, Farnesol | Middle/Heart Notes |
Citrus | Limonene, Citral | Top Notes |
Spicy/Warm | Eugenol, Cinnamaldehyde, β-Caryophyllene | Middle/Base Notes |
Woody | α/β-Pinene, Costol | Base Notes |
Gourmand/Sweet | Vanillin, Coumarin | Base Notes |
Fruity | γ-Undecalactone, Benzyl acetate | Middle/Top Notes |
So, if you smell a bright, long-lasting lemon top note, it’s likely citral or limonene, not actual lemon peel oil.
⚠️ Are Isolates Bad?
Not necessarily! Many isolates:
Are safer when properly diluted
Are more stable, reducing seasonal variations
Let perfumers create consistent formulations
But the problem arises when brands:
Overuse isolates to imitate a “natural” smell
Fail to disclose their presence
Mislead consumers into thinking they’re using whole essential oils
Misleads consumers into thinking that plant-derived isolates are "100% natural" or "natural component or EO" or "naturally occurring"
👃 How to Choose a Truly Natural or Skin-Friendly Perfume
✔ Look for:
Ingredient labels listing essential oils, not just isolates
Brands that share the breakdown of essential oil components
Terms like “whole essential oil perfume” or “certified organic isolates”. The later very rare.
Disclosures and/or Certifications (organic, vegan, IFRA compliant)
❌ Avoid:
Vague terms like “natural fragrance” or “natural component” or "100% natural" with no ingredients
Long lists of isolate names without context. The plant-derived isalate must explicitly say "certified organic isolate".
Overly bright, one-dimensional perfumes (often isolate-heavy)
🌼 Final Thoughts: Be an Empowered Nose
Natural perfumes can be beautiful, safe, and ethical—but not all "natural" labels tell the full story. Understanding what are isolates in perfume, how they’re used, and how they affect your skin and senses empowers you to make better, healthier choices. Want to enjoy nature in your perfume? Look for whole essential oil blends, transparent brands, and skin-safe practices—not just the word “natural” on a label. I hope that this information helped you learn what are isolates in perfume and how to spot isolates.
Discover how our natural perfume made with whole essential oils differs from perfume made with isolates. Try and test it with our Discover 8 testers.
Our natural perfume:
+100% natural (no isolates & synthetic chemicals)
+ 88%% to 95.5% certified organic ingredients
+ Certified Vegan and Cruelty Free by PETA and Vegan Australia Organisation
+ Certified Product of Australia, Certified Australian Made, and Certified Australian Owned, audited and licensed by Australian Made Campaign Limited (AMCL)
+ IFRA and Australian Industrial Chemical Scheme (AICS) compliant.
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