Siberian fir 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:
- alpha-Bisabolol
- 0.2 %
- Geraniol
- 0.03 %
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
Abies Sibirica Oil
- Botanical name
- Abies sibirica
- CAS
- 91697-89-1
- EC
- 294-351-9
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
Siberian fir oil is steam-distilled from the needles and twigs of Abies sibirica, a fir native to much of Siberia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (Gymnosperm Database), and it has its own ISO standard (ISO 10869). It smells sweet, fresh and balsamic, like a cut Christmas tree.
Faiola lists fir needle among the essential oils that behave well in cold process, and Cable pairs fir with cedarwood at 1.5 % of the oils, a pairing that anchors its fresh top. Cable counts fir needle among the middle notes. The IFRA figure on this page is the ceiling.
Like other conifer oils it oxidises in air, and oxidised terpenes are stronger skin sensitisers (SCCS). EU law admits Siberian fir oil only while its peroxide value is low, so buy it fresh and keep it cool, full and tightly closed.
Recipes that use it
Sources
- CosIng, the cosmetic ingredient database: ABIES SIBIRICA OIL, European Commission
- Abies sibirica, The Gymnosperm Database, conifers.org (2026). Native to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and much of Siberia; foliage oil steam distilled for perfumery
- ISO 10869:2010, oil of fir needle, Siberian (Abies sibirica), International Organization for Standardization (2010)
- Anne-Marie Faiola, Soap Crafting, Storey Publishing (2013). Fir needle among the essential oils that are typically wonderful in cold process soap
- Kelly Cable, The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners, Althea Press (2017). Fir with cedarwood at 1.5 % of the oils; fir needle among the middle notes
- Opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (SCCS/1459/11), Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, European Commission (2012). Oxidation products of fragrance terpenes are potent sensitisers
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, Annexes II and III, via CosIng, European Commission. Annex III, entry 106: the peroxide value of Abies sibirica oil must be below 10 mmol/L