Ingredient decoder

Hexyl cinnamal: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Hexyl Cinnamal

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

Hexyl cinnamal in plain English

Hexyl cinnamal is a synthetic jasmine-like scent compound, one of the most widely used fragrance ingredients in skincare and household products. 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 hexyl cinnamal bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Hexyl cinnamal 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

  • Hexyl Cinnamal
  • Hexyl cinnamic aldehyde
  • Alpha-hexylcinnamaldehyde
  • Hexylcinnamaldehyde

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Frequently asked questions

Is hexyl cinnamal comedogenic?

Hexyl cinnamal 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 hexyl cinnamal 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 hexyl cinnamal called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, hexyl cinnamal can also appear as Hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, Alpha-hexylcinnamaldehyde or Hexylcinnamaldehyde.

Sources