Virginian cedarwood oil
Under the IFRA Standards a rinse-off soap may hold up to 9.6 % of this oil, a limit set by its Cedrene.
IFRA maximum for soap
Restricted constituents, at the typical levels IFRA's annex gives:
- alpha-Cedrene
- 24.3 %
- beta-Cedrene
- 5.9 %
- alpha-Bisabolol
- 0.6 %
Worked out from typical levels. A supplier's certificate for your lot comes first, and its figure is the one to follow.
Check a blend against its IFRA limits and list its allergens in the fragrance and allergen calculator.
How essential oils behave in soap, and how much to use: Scenting soap.
Identity and labelling
Juniperus Virginiana Wood Oil
- Botanical name
- Juniperus virginiana
- CAS
- 85085-41-2
- EC
- 285-370-3
The EU names this oil itself as a fragrance allergen (Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, Annex III entry 358): it goes on the label by name above 0.01 % in a rinse-off product.
What it is and how it behaves in soap
Virginian cedarwood oil is steam-distilled from the wood of the eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, which grows from Virginia to east Texas (ISO 4724). It is a juniper rather than a true cedar, and the oil is made from sawdust and shavings left by the timber and pencil trade (FAO), which is why it is the cheapest cedarwood (Grosso). It smells soft, dry and woody, like pencil shavings.
Cable counts it as a base note and uses it at 0.9 to 1.6 % of the oils, with fir, cypress, patchouli or rose; like other cedarwood it holds lighter notes in place (Fisher). The IFRA figure on this page is the ceiling.
Oil sold simply as cedarwood may be this, Texas or Chinese cedarwood from other trees, or Atlas cedar, and they smell different, so check the botanical name. Keep the bottle away from pets: the Merck Veterinary Manual lists cedar oil among those that can cause seizures.
Recipes that use it
Sources
- CosIng, the cosmetic ingredient database: JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA WOOD OIL, European Commission
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products, European Commission. Annex, entry 358
- ISO 4724:2004, Oil of cedarwood, Virginian (Juniperus virginiana L.), International Organization for Standardization (2004). Steam distillation of the wood of Juniperus virginiana growing from south-east Virginia to east Texas
- J. J. W. Coppen, Flavours and fragrances of plant origin (Non-Wood Forest Products 1), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1995). American cedarwood oil is distilled from sawmill waste of timber used for furniture and pencils; the USA and China the main producers
- Alicia Grosso, The Everything Soapmaking Book, 3rd edition, Adams Media (2013). Virginia cedarwood is a by-product of pencil making and the least expensive
- Kelly Cable, The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners, Althea Press (2017). Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) as a base note with a soft woody scent, at 0.9 to 1.6 % of the oils
- David Fisher, The Complete Photo Guide to Soap Making, Creative Publishing International (2018). Cedarwood as a base note that anchors blends
- Kia Benson, Toxicoses From Essential Oils in Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual, Merck & Co. (2025). Cedar among the essential oils that can cause seizures in animals