Fragrance oil, Pumpkin spice, 1 l

Pumpkin spice fragrance oil

Pumpkin spice is a fragrance oil composition with a warm, spicy autumn scent in the style of the popular “pumpkin spice” – a blend of sweet and spicy notes reminiscent of baked pumpkin, cinnamon and ginger. In a formulation it has one clearly defined role: it is a fragrance component that completes the overall sensory impression of the finished product. It is a synthetic fragrance composition of European origin, intended for scenting cosmetics as well as household and hobby products.

Key properties

• Fragrance function – gives the finished product a spicy pumpkin scent; it is not meant to thicken, preserve or otherwise affect the functionality of the formulation.
• Oil solubility – it is added to the oil or fat phase, or, in water-based leave-on products, bound in with a solubiliser.
• Added during cool-down – it is incorporated in the cooling phase at a temperature below 40 °C, so that the volatile fragrance components do not evaporate unnecessarily.
• Wide range of uses – suitable for scenting rinse-off and leave-on products, decorative cosmetics, bath bombs and salts, diffusers and hobby production.

Use in a formulation

Fragrance oil is normally added as one of the last steps, in the cooling phase at a temperature up to 40 °C. Higher temperatures accelerate the evaporation of volatile components and can weaken or shift the scent. In emulsions it is first dissolved in the oil phase or added after emulsification during cooling; in water-based products without an oil phase (for example toners, clear gels, fragrance sprays) it needs a solubiliser, otherwise it will not dissolve and will cause cloudiness or oil droplets.

Because the raw material has an orange colour, you should allow for a possible effect on the colour of light and transparent products, especially at a higher usage rate. In colourless gels, soaps or emulsions this may show up as a slight tint in a warm shade.

Suitable for products such as

• Bath bombs and salts – the warm spicy scent works well in seasonal bath products.
• Rinse-off cosmetics – solid and liquid soaps, shower gels and shampoos.
• Lip balms – the fragrance is permitted in IFRA category 1 (lip products); stir it into the melted oil and wax mixture just before pouring. The orange colour of the fragrance may slightly tint a light balm.
• Leave-on cosmetics – body oils, butters and emulsions, where the fragrance is bound in through the oil phase.
• Diffusers and aromatherapy blends, candles and home fragrances.
• Decorative cosmetics and hobby production – including artistic and creative projects.

Always base the specific usage rate on the type of product and the applicable IFRA limits for the given use category – the same fragrance has a different permitted maximum in a lip product, a body lotion or a rinse-off soap. You will find the limits in the IFRA certificate in the Product documentation section.

You will find other fragrances that can also be used in lip products in the category Fragrance oils suitable for lip balms.

Good to know when formulating

This is a fragrance composition classified under CLP, which contains hazardous substances as well as fragrance allergens listed in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. When making cosmetics, these allergens must therefore be declared in the ingredients list according to the actual usage rate, and the classification in the safety data sheet must be respected. The raw material carries the GHS07 hazard pictogram (irritation, sensitisation), which requires careful handling and correct labelling of the finished product.

It is advisable to verify the exact sensory behaviour (intensity, any tinting or shift in scent) directly in the target formulation, as it depends on both the carrier system and the usage rate.

Frequently asked questions