# 4-TERPINEOL (4-terpineol) — Global Cosmetic Regulatory & Formulation Monograph

- **Canonical URL**: https://www.inciname.com/en/ingredients/4-terpineol
- **Standard INCI**: `4-TERPINEOL`
- **KR MFDS Standard Name**: `4-터피네올`
- **CAS No.**: `562-74-3`
- **EC / EINECS No.**: `209-235-5`
- **Origin**: `synthetic`
- **Functions**: 향료
- **Molecular Formula / MW**: `—` (— g/mol)

## 1. 7-Track Official Regulatory Label Names
| Track | Official Label Nomenclature |
| :--- | :--- |
| KR (MFDS Standard) | 4-터피네올 |
| KR (Former Names) | — |
| EU (CosIng 1223/2009) | 4-TERPINEOL |
| US (PCPC / MoCRA INCI) | 4-TERPINEOL |
| US (FDA OTC Monograph) | — |
| CN (NMPA IECIC) | 4-萜品醇 |
| JP (JCIA / MHLW QD) | 4-TERPINEOL  |

## 2. Layer 1 — Global 6-Region Statutory Summary
- **KR (MFDS)**: `none`
- **EU (1223/2009)**: `none`
- **US (FDA/MoCRA)**: `none`
- **CN (NMPA IECIC)**: `allowed` (Entry: `68`)
- **JP (MHLW)**: `none`
- **ASEAN (ACD)**: `none`



## 3. Layer 2 — Toxicological & Historical Safe Use Concentrations
- **cn_iecic_max** (leave_on): ≤ 1% — NMPA IECIC (2025) Entry 00038 (2025)
- **cn_iecic_max** (rinse_off): ≤ 0.5% — NMPA IECIC (2025) Entry 00038 (2025)

## 4. Layer 3 — Formulation Quartiles & Compatibility
- **Optimal pH Window**: 4.5 – 7.5
- **Max Process Temp**: ≤ 70°C
- **Synergy Pairings**: —
- **Incompatibilities**: —

## 5. Academic Monograph
4-Terpineol is a monoterpene compound found in aromatic plants including lavandin and galangal essential oil.
A 2% 4-terpineol formulation met USP <51> antimicrobial effectiveness standards at both 14 and 28 days, and demonstrated rapid killing effects within 60 seconds against 13 bacteria, 1 fungus, and Acanthamoeba castellanii.
4-Terpineol was confirmed to be safe and effective in killing microorganisms associated with common ocular and skin infectious diseases, causing no ocular irritation, skin irritation, sensitization, or allergic contact dermatitis.
As a component of galangal essential oil, 4-terpineol contributes to skin permeation enhancement by disrupting the ordered arrangement of stratum corneum lipids and keratins and facilitating skin penetration through interaction with TRPV4 ion channels.
4-Terpineol (3.18%), as one of the major bioactive constituents of Zanthoxylum bungeanum essential oil, was predicted through network pharmacology analysis to contribute to acute pruritus alleviation by targeting JAK1, STAT3, and STAT6.
4-Terpineol is a monoterpene capable of serving as sole carbon source and can be selectively hydroxylated at methyl benzylic/allylic positions by the P450 enzyme CYP108N14.
4-Terpineol serves as the base material for 4-O-acylterpineol derivatives synthesized with straight-chain fatty acids, which can significantly promote drug permeation across skin with advantages of high flux and low dermal toxicity.
As a volatile component of Juniperus essential oils, 4-terpineol is a biomarker contributing to both antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and gamma interferon (INF-γ) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated white blood cells.

## 6. Linked PubMed Literature
- [PMID: 32397753] Chiral 4-O-acylterpineol as transdermal permeation enhancers: insights of the enhancement mechanisms of a transdermal enantioselective delivery system for flurbiprofen. — *Drug Deliv* (2020)
- [PMID: 41419158] Sesquiterpenes from galangal essential oil as potent penetration enhancer: Effect on stratum corneum components and cutaneous TRPV4 ion channel — *J Pharm Sci* (2026)
- [PMID: 41229051] Network pharmacology-guided probiotic metabolite therapy for acne vulgaris to target Cutibacterium acnes CAMP factors through Pediococcus acidilactici BCBH1 fatty acids — *Allergol Immunopathol (Madr)* (2025)
- [PMID: 32397385] Reconsidering Hydrosols as Main Products of Aromatic Plants Manufactory: The Lavandin (Lavandula intermedia) Case Study in Tuscany — *Molecules* (2020)
- [PMID: 30153525] Investigation of the enhancement effect of the natural transdermal permeation enhancers from Ledum palustre L. var. angustum N. Busch: Mechanistic insight based on interaction among drug, enhancers and skin — *Eur J Pharm Sci* (2018)
- [PMID: 30123842] Safety and efficacy of 4-terpineol against microorganisms associated with blepharitis and common ocular diseases. — *BMJ Open Ophthalmol* (2018)
- [PMID: 41260557] Exploring the mechanism of Zanthoxylum bungeanum essential oil in alleviating acute pruritus in rats based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental pharmacology — *J Ethnopharmacol* (2026)
- [PMID: 38072297] CYP108N14: A Monoterpene Monooxygenase from Rhodococcus globerulus — *Arch Biochem Biophys* (2024)
- [PMID: 32439404] Efficacy-directed discrimination of the essential oils of three Juniperus species based on their in-vitro antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities — *J Ethnopharmacol* (2020)
- [PMID: 32097972] Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oil: Evaluation of Skin Permeation and Distribution from Topical Formulations with a Solvent-Free Analytical Method — *Planta Med* (2020)
- [PMID: 24520037] Rapid analysis of Origanum majorana L. fragrance using a nanofiber sheet, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, and chemometrics — *J Sep Sci* (2014)
- [PMID: 24100604] Knockdown and larvicidal activity of six monoterpenes against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and their structure-activity relationships — *Parasitol Res* (2013)