Coriander seed oil
None of the restricted materials in IFRA's annex limits this oil in rinse-off soap.
IFRA maximum for soap
no IFRA limit in soap
Restricted constituents, at the typical levels IFRA's annex gives:
- Geraniol
- 1.6 %
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
Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
- Botanical name
- Coriandrum sativum
- CAS
- 8008-52-4, 84775-50-8
- EC
- 283-880-0
The EU does not name this oil itself as an allergen to label, but some of its constituents may be: the fragrance allergen tool works them out for a recipe.
What it is and how it behaves in soap
Coriander oil is steam-distilled from the crushed ripe fruit, the seed of the kitchen spice (ISO 3516; EFSA). Russia, Bulgaria and Ukraine grow the small-seeded type preferred for oil (CBI). Two-thirds or more of the oil is linalool, and it smells sweet, woody and gently spicy, with none of the green note of fresh coriander leaf.
Our books say little about it: Cavitch sorts it with the herbal scents and Grosso lists it, but none of their recipes use it. Treat it as untested: add it at thin trace and try a batch of 454 g (1 lb) of oils or less first (Faiola). Fisher's general start is 3.1 to 4.4 % of the oils, and the IFRA figure on this page is the ceiling.
Linalool oxidises in air into a potent skin sensitiser (SCCS), so keep the bottle cool, full and closed.
Sources
- CosIng, the cosmetic ingredient database: CORIANDRUM SATIVUM FRUIT OIL, European Commission
- ISO 3516:1997, oil of coriander fruits, International Organization for Standardization (1997). Steam distillation of the fruit; linalool 65 to 78 %
- EFSA FEEDAP Panel, Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the fruit of Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander oil), EFSA Journal (2023). Steam distillation of the crushed mature fruit
- The European market potential for coriander seeds, CBI, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2024). The small-seeded microcarpum type, grown in Russia, Bulgaria and Ukraine, is preferred for essential oil
- Susan Miller Cavitch, The Natural Soap Book, Storey Publishing (1995). Coriander among the herbal family of scents
- Alicia Grosso, The Everything Soapmaking Book, 3rd edition, Adams Media (2013). Coriander in her table of essential oils
- Anne-Marie Faiola, Soap Crafting, Storey Publishing (2013). Add scent at thin trace; test an untried scent in a batch of 1 lb or less
- David Fisher, The Complete Photo Guide to Soap Making, Creative Publishing International (2018). Starting rate of 0.5 to 0.7 oz of scent per pound of oils
- Opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (SCCS/1459/11), Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, European Commission (2012). Oxidised linalool is a frequent contact allergen; air exposure raises the sensitising potency