Basil Essential Oil, 10 ml

Basil essential oil brings a penetrating herbal, green and fresh fragrance with a sweet herbal undertone to a formulation, where it acts as a fragrance component. It is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and tops of the Ocimum basilicum plant and is supplied as a 100% pure, cosmetic-grade natural oil of European origin. In perfume compositions it acts as a top to heart note: it opens the fragrance and holds it even after the most volatile components have evaporated. It is particularly suited to products for oily and problem skin, both leave-on and rinse-off.

Key features

• Distinctive herbal fragrance – the penetrating, green and fresh character comes through in a composition even in a small amount, so when blending you start with a low proportion and adjust gradually.
• Top to heart note – in a fragrance blend it links the light top components with the heart of the composition.
• Solubility in oil and alcohol – it combines with vegetable oils and alcohol; it does not dissolve in water and needs a solubiliser in water-based systems.
• Free of solvents and animal-derived ingredients – no solvents are used in production, the oil contains no materials of animal origin and, according to the OECD 301 test, it is readily biodegradable.

Use in formulations

The oil is incorporated in the cool-down phase or added afterwards to the finished base. In emulsions it is added only after cooling, with constant stirring, so that the volatile fragrance components do not evaporate unnecessarily. In anhydrous products, such as body and massage oils or balms, it is mixed directly into the oil phase. In perfumes and other alcohol-based fragrances it dissolves directly in alcohol. For toners, sprays and other water-based preparations, the oil must first be mixed with a solubiliser (for example Polysorbate 20) and only then added to the water phase, otherwise it stays on the surface in droplets.

There is no single universal usage rate. The manufacturer does not state a recommended range, and the highest amount in the finished product is determined by the IFRA limit for the given category: a different percentage applies to lip products (category 1), to body creams and oils (5A), to face creams and toners (5B), to rinse-off products such as soaps and shampoos (9) or to candles (12). The limits for all categories are in the IFRA certificate in the Product documentation section.

Suitable for products such as

• Perfume compositions and alcohol-based fragrances – as a top to heart note with a green herbal character.
• Facial toners and light creams for oily and problem skin – with a solubiliser, or added in the cool-down phase of an emulsion.
• Cleansing gels, solid and liquid soaps, shampoos and conditioners – rinse-off products for skin, hair and scalp.
• Body and massage oils, balms – anhydrous products in which the oil dissolves directly in the oil phase.
• Lip products, intimate hygiene products and products for the oral cavity – provided the limit for the relevant IFRA category is observed.
• Candles and home fragrances – with the limit set by category 12.

Good to know

The colour of the oil ranges from pale yellow to amber yellow. How it shows in the finished product depends on the usage rate and on the base it is added to. For white creams, check the shade on a test sample.

Like every essential oil, this one is volatile and sensitive to heat. Do not add it to a hot oil phase, as part of the fragrance would evaporate or change.

In its concentrated form the oil is not applied directly to the skin. When placing your own product on the market, rely on the safety data sheet and the IFRA certificate, which are part of the product documentation.

Frequently asked questions