Ingredient decoder

Anise alcohol: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Anise Alcohol

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Scent ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people.

  • Perfuming

Anise alcohol in plain English

Anise alcohol is a sweet, floral and slightly powdery scent compound found in anise and vanilla, used in fragrances. It is one of the scent components that must be named on EU labels above set levels because it can trigger allergic reactions in some people. For acne-prone skin it does not clog pores, but irritation and redness can make breakouts look and feel worse, so sensitive skin may do better without it.

Is anise alcohol bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Anise alcohol is not a proven pore-clogger, but scent ingredients like this can irritate sensitive skin, and irritated skin can make breakouts look and feel worse. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Anise Alcohol
  • Anisyl alcohol
  • Anisic alcohol
  • 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol

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Frequently asked questions

Is anise alcohol comedogenic?

Anise alcohol has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does anise alcohol do in skincare?

In short: scent ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people. In formulas it is used for perfuming.

What else is anise alcohol called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, anise alcohol can also appear as Anisyl alcohol, Anisic alcohol or 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol.

Sources