Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) on your skin: a safety profile

What is butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial)?

The IUPAC name is 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal.

Also known as: 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, Lilial, lily aldehyde, 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde.

IUPAC name

3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal

CAS number

80-54-6

Molecular formula

C14H20O

Molecular weight

204.31 g/mol

SMILES

CC(CC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C)(C)C)C=O

PubChem CID

228987

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial).

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial)

• Personal Care — perfume, deodorant, soap, shampoo, cosmetics
• Consumer Products — detergent, air freshener
• Fragrance — perfume, cologne, scented personal care products, household fragrance products, candles
  Identified in Fragrance Ingredient Safety Priority Research database (2,325 ingredients)

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial):

• Bourgeonal
  Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Cyclamen aldehyde
  Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Muguet synthetic blends
  Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions