Litsea Cubeba (May Chang) Essential Oil, 10 ml

Litsea cubeba essential oil, also known as May Chang, gives cosmetics a fresh citrus fragrance with a pronounced lemon note. It is obtained by steam distillation of the fruits of the Litsea cubeba tree, which grows in Asia. In a formulation, it primarily serves as a fragrance ingredient: it scents body oils, shower and bath preparations, lip balms, and diffuser blends.

In addition to its fragrance, the manufacturer attributes to it a refreshing and cooling effect on the skin, which is why it recommends it for after-sun products and foot creams. Its uplifting scent, according to the manufacturer's data, is also suitable for hair mists and hair perfumes.

What it brings to the formulation

• Citrus fragrance – a fresh lemon character that the manufacturer describes as refreshing and uplifting. Commonly used in perfumes, aromatherapy blends, massage oils, and bath preparations.
• Skin refreshment – according to the manufacturer's data, it leaves a cooling sensation on the skin, which is used in after-sun products and body cosmetics.
• Soothing of redness – the manufacturer states that the oil helps reduce the feeling of irritation and redness. In cosmetics, it remains a complementary effect of a fragrance ingredient.
• Cleansing effect – in facial and hair cleansing products, the manufacturer describes it as an ingredient that helps remove impurities and excess sebum.
• Antimicrobial properties – stated by the manufacturer in their materials. They do not, however, replace the preservation system of a finished product with an aqueous phase.

Use in formulation

The oil dissolves in vegetable oils and in alcohol; it does not dissolve in water. Without further processing, it is therefore added to the oil phase of emulsions, to anhydrous products such as body and massage oils or balms, and to alcohol-based perfumes or colognes. For tonics, facial mists, and other water-based preparations, it is incorporated via a solubiliser; otherwise it separates on the surface.

It is worked with cold, below 40 °C. It is added to an emulsion only after it has cooled at the end of mixing, and to balms and solid products into the cooling mass just before pouring. The oil consists of volatile compounds, so heating weakens the fragrance.

Dosage is governed by IFRA limits for individual product categories; an overview of categories can be found in the product parameters. Each category has its own limit: different for lip preparations, deodorants, face creams, body lotions, rinse-off products, or diffusers. Before production, verify the limit for the specific product type and adhere to it.

Suitable for products such as

• body and massage oils, after-sun milks and gels,
• shower gels, bath oils, and bath salts,
• hand and foot creams,
• lip balms, oils, and scrubs within the limit for this category,
• hair mists, hair perfumes, and leave-in hair preparations,
• diffuser blends and aromatherapy compositions,
• alcohol perfumes, colognes, and solid perfumes.

Good to know

The oil has a yellow colour. In clear, colourless products we recommend checking the appearance on a test batch.

The oil can be combined with other essential and fragrance oils. When multiple ingredients contain allergens, their proportions in the formulation are added together.

Frequently asked questions