Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract

What Is It?

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder and Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Water are ingredients made from the leaves of the Eucalyptus globulus tree, also called blue gum. In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients may be used to formulate many product types including bath products, bath soaps and detergents, cleansing products, makeup, mouthwashes, personal cleanliness products, fragrance preparations, skin care products and hair care products.

Why Is It Used?

The following functions have been reported for the ingredients made from leaves of Eucalyptus globulus.

  • Abrasive: Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder
  • Fragrance ingredient: Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Water
  • Skin conditioning agent – miscellaneous: Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
  • Skin conditioning agent – occlusive: Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract

Scientific Facts

Eucalyptus globulus is a tree, also called blue gum that is native to Australia, but widely grown elsewhere in the world. The blue gum typically grows from 98 to 180 feet tall. It was introduced to California in the mid 1800s. Because of its ability to quickly spread and displace native plants, California currently considers it an invasive species.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits preparations of the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus to be used in foods as flavoring substances. The FDA also permits eucalyptus oil to be used at a concentration of 1.2-1.3% in Over-the-Counter (OTC) drug products (ointments) for colds and coughs. Botanical and botanically derived ingredients used in the formulation of cosmetics are generally mild and safe. Prior to marketing the finished cosmetic product, the safety of each ingredient must be substantiated in accordance with 21 CFR 740.10. Safety substantiation of cosmetic ingredients may include tests for ocular and skin irritation as well as allergenicity, phototoxicity, photoallergenicity and mutagenicity, depending on the application or intended use. There is a considerable body of information about the safety of botanical ingredients and a well established history of use. These resources are consulted to ensure the safety of these materials as they are used in cosmetics.

FDA: Link to Code of Federal Regulations for eucalyptus: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder and Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Water may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm

Health Canada permits eucalyptus oil to be used in cosmetics and personal care products at concentrations equal to or less than 25%.

Link to the Health Canada website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/person/cosmet/info-ind-prof/_hot-list-cri…

In selecting plant-derived ingredients for cosmetics and personal care products, formulators rely on the extensive history of their preparation and use. Such materials have been used for a long time and, based upon this experience, extensive knowledge of their safety has been gained. In the situation of newly identified botanicals in the cosmetic industry, appropriate ocular and skin safety studies are conducted prior to release into general commerce. There are many different references that describe the isolation, use and safety of botanical preparations.

More information about botanicals.

More Scientific Information

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder and Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Water belong to a large and diverse class of materials that are not defined chemically. The majority of the materials in this class are mixtures derived from plants (herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, or seeds). In naming plants, botanists use a scientific name (also called Latin name) made up of the genus and species of the plant. For example, under this system the tree, blue gum is known as Eucalyptus globulus Labill., where “Labill.” stands for the name of the person who first described the type of plant specimen. Plants are also known by a common name that has been handed down through generations. These common names may vary from country to country. Therefore, scientific names, which are more likely to be recognized in many countries, are frequently used on the label of a product to identify an ingredient made from plants.

Resources

Cross Reference for Common Names and Latin names for Botanical ingredient: http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/botanicals-cross-reference-latin-bino…

Find out more about the history of using plants to obtain beneficial materials:

Find out more about the regulation of Over-the-Counter drugs by the Food and Drug Administration

OTC Drug Home Page: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSa…

Information about OTC Drug monographs: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/over-counter-otc-drug-monograph-process

Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration

Food Ingredients and Packaging: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/default.htm

Food Contact Substances: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/default.htm

Substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS): http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/default.htm

Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm

EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/