Cinnamon Bark Oil (CAS 8015-91-6) — Spicy Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents

Cinnamon Bark Oil

CAS 8015-91-6

Origin
Note
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Mar 2026

What Is Cinnamon Bark Oil?

Cinnamon bark oil is a warm, spicy essential oil extracted from the bark of cinnamon trees. People encounter it in holiday candles, baked goods, and festive perfumes. This oil matters because it delivers an instant sense of warmth and comfort, evoking memories of cinnamon rolls, mulled wine, and winter celebrations.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Safe in small cosmetic concentrations
⚠ Potentially irritating to skin
⚠ Contains cinnamaldehyde (allergen)
CAS
8015-91-6
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Key Constituents
Cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamaldehyde
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Cinnamon Bark Oil Smell Like?

Cinnamon bark oil erupts with an intense, fiery sweetness – think red-hot candies melting on a stove. The top note is almost medicinal in its phenolic sharpness, like crushed cinnamon sticks in a mortar. As it evolves, the heart reveals a creamy vanillic undertone that softens the spice, while the base develops woody, slightly leathery facets. Dry-down leaves a warm, resinous glow reminiscent of antique wooden chests lined with spice pouches.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Spicebomb(Viktor&Rolf, 2012)

The cinnamon bark oil here amplifies the fragrance’s explosive opening, creating an addictive contrast with pink pepper and saffron. It’s used at a precisely calibrated dose to deliver recognizability without overwhelming.

Joop! Homme(Joop!, 1989)

Forms the spicy backbone of this 90s powerhouse, blending with honey and tobacco to create a sweet yet masculine trail. The cinnamon’s warmth prevents the composition from becoming cloying.

Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Cinnamon bark oil is primarily composed of cinnamaldehyde (60-80%), along with eugenol, linalool, and various terpenes. The oil is steam distilled from the inner bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum trees. Cinnamaldehyde’s conjugated double bond system makes it highly reactive, contributing both to its intense aroma and potential sensitization properties. The oil’s exact composition varies based on geographic origin and distillation methods.

Chemical Composition

Physical & Chemical Properties

ColorYellow to brown
Flash Point93 °C
Density1.010-1.030 g/cm³

Key Constituent Properties

ConstituentCASMWBP °CXLogPVapor P.
Cinnamaldehyde104-55-2132.16248 °C1.90.01 mmHg

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Heart
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good with vanilla, citrus, woods
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Used sparingly due to intensity
Candles1-3%Up to 5%Higher levels for strong diffusion

Classic Accords

+ Vanilla + Tonka = Gourmand + Orange + Clove = Christmas + Patchouli + Amber = Oriental

Tip: Always pre-dilute to 10% in alcohol before incorporating to ensure even distribution.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Cassia Oil CAS 8007-80-5

More affordable but harsher cinnamon alternative with higher coumarin content. Use when cost is a factor and subtlety isn’t required.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.

IFRA Status

IFRA restricted to 0.05% in leave-on products (Amendment 49) due to cinnamaldehyde sensitization potential.

EU Allergen Declaration

Must be declared when cinnamaldehyde exceeds 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products (Annex III No. 5).

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H317 May cause allergic skin reaction

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms skin sensitization risk at high concentrations but safe at IFRA-recommended levels.

Sustainability

Most cinnamon oil comes from Sri Lanka and Seychelles, where trees are grown in mixed agroforestry systems. Sustainable harvesting involves stripping bark without killing trees. Synthetic cinnamaldehyde offers a renewable alternative but lacks the oil’s complexity.

Explore Cinnamon Bark Oil

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References

  1. Bickers et al. (2005). Cinnamaldehyde safety assessment. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PMID 15869798

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 8015-91-6
Data Sources & Attribution
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

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