Pine Leaf Oil
Essential oil from Scots pine needles. Rich in alpha- and beta-pinenes, the oxidized forms create strong contact allergens.
Evidence by route
Topical application
Oxidized pinenes appear among frequent allergens in patch tests. Fresh oil tolerates better but shelf life is short.
How to read tiers A–F
- CWeak evidence. In vitro data, open-label studies, or expert consensus
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Medium
- Allergen risk
- High
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Suitable for
- Normal, Oily, Combination
- Use with caution
- Sensitive, Dry
About this ingredient
Pine Leaf Oil (Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil) is an essential oil from Scots pine needles. Composition: α- and β-pinenes (40-65%), carene, limonene, myrcene, bornyl acetate. Marketed as a "natural" component in body, bath and hair lines. Where applied. Body scrubs, bath products, anti-dandruff shampoos, fragrance compositions (0.1-1%). Not suitable for face or sensitive skin. Safety – contact allergy. Oxidised α- and β-pinenes are known contact allergens. ESCD includes them in the standard patch test panel (50% of contact dermatitis patients are tested for pinene). Fresh oil oxidises in air within 6-12 months, faster in an open jar. SCCS Opinion 2012 restricts well-oxidised pine essential oils in cosmetics. Irritation. May cause burning, erythema, scaling at concentrations above 0.5% on sensitive skin, face, neck, skin folds. In rosacea and atopic dermatitis patients – flare-up. Pregnancy and lactation – use with caution. Conifer essential oils inhaled systemically at high concentrations are associated with uterine tone (Tisserand 2014). Topical use at cosmetic concentrations carries minimal risk, but is avoided on large skin areas in the first trimester as a precaution. Alternative for sensitive skin. If the conifer scent is desired – synthetic analogues without pinenes, e.g. linalool + borneol + isobornyl acetate at safe concentrations.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pine Leaf Oil safe during pregnancy?
Pine Leaf Oil should be used with caution during pregnancy. Consulting a dermatologist or OB-GYN is advisable.
What skin types is Pine Leaf Oil for?
Pine Leaf Oil suits: normal, oily, combination. Use with caution in: sensitive, dry.
Can Pine Leaf Oil irritate the skin?
Pine Leaf Oil has moderate irritation potential. Sensitive skin may show a transient reaction that usually settles with adaptation.
Can Pine Leaf Oil cause an allergic reaction?
Pine Leaf Oil has high allergen potential. Perform a patch test on the inner forearm 24 hours before facial application.
What is Pine Leaf Oil and what does it do in cosmetics?
Essential oil from Scots pine needles.
What's the INCI name for Pine Leaf Oil?
The INCI name is Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil. It may also appear as: Pine Oil.
See Pine Leaf Oil in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
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