CAMPHOR

📋 Quick facts

Description: CAMPHOR — cooling sensation, mild antimicrobial (can be irritating at high concentration).

All Functions: cooling sensation, mild antimicrobial (can be irritating at high concentration)

Quick Facts:

• Category: active
• Regulatory Note: Restricted in the EU

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Camphor is a natural compound (bicyclic monoterpene ketone) studied for potential skin infection prevention
• Research documents anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties in camphor
• Camphor is a weak sensory irritant that can increase burning sensations on skin
• Ingestion or significant dermal absorption of camphor carries serious toxicity risks, especially in children
• Even small amounts of camphor can be dangerous if ingested; topical use in adults appears safer than ingestion

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Camphor appears as a colorless or white colored crystalline powder with a strong mothball-like odor. About the same density as water. Emits flammable vapors above 150 °F. Used to make moth proofings, pharmaceuticals, and flavorings. Camphor is a cyclic monoterpene ketone that is bornane bearing an oxo substituent at position 2. A naturally occurring monoterpenoid. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a bornane monoterpenoid and a cyclic monoterpene ketone. Camphor is a bicyclic monoterpene ketone found widely in plants, especially Cinnamomum camphora. It is used topically as a skin antipruritic and as an anti-infective agent. When ingested, camphor has a rapid onset of toxic effects, and camphorated oil is the product most often responsible for its toxicity. The FDA ruled that camphorated oil could not be marketed in the United States and that no product could contain a concentration higher than 11%. It appears in the list of drug products withdrawn or removed from the market for safety or effectiveness. However, camphor can be found in several nonprescription medications at lower concentrations.

Source(s): ChEBI, DrugBank, CAMEO Chemicals, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

⚠️ Allergen Warning

CAMPHOR is listed as an EU-recognized allergen (fragrance) and must be disclosed on product labels above the required threshold concentration.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Camphor is a bicyclic monoterpene ketone—a naturally occurring organic compound—that has been reviewed for potential applications in skincare products (Pharmaceuticals, 2024). #1: The ingredient shows documented anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, which could theoretically help prevent skin infections caused by bacteria or fungi (Pharmaceuticals, 2024). #2: When applied topically at 20% concentration, camphor acts as a relatively weak sensory irritant, meaning it can enhance the sensation of temperature changes on skin and increase reports of burning sensations (J Invest Dermatol, 1990). This warming or cooling effect is modest and appears strongest during heating. However, safety is an important consideration. #3: While topical application in adults appears to have limited systemic effects, camphor can be absorbed through the skin and carry toxicity risks, particularly in vulnerable populations (South Med J, 2000).

#4: If ingested or absorbed in significant amounts, camphor can cause serious liver damage, central nervous system injury, and neurotoxicity; even small doses (as little as 500 mg) have been associated with severe toxicity and seizures in children (Indian J Crit Care Med, 2019; J Emerg Med, 2004). The onset of toxic effects from ingestion is rapid (5-15 minutes) and can include confusion, hallucinations, muscle twitching, and seizures. The sources note that while camphor is commonly found in nonprescription topical cold remedies, “rubs,” and anesthetic preparations, its actual efficacy for these uses is largely unproven (J Emerg Med, 2004). For adult consumers using camphor-containing skincare products as intended (topical application only), the documented risks appear lower than for ingestion, but the ingredient warrants cautious use and should be kept away from children.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Duda-Madej A et al. (2024). Is Camphor the Future in Supporting Therapy for Skin Infections?. Pharmaceuticals (Basel).
• Uc A et al. (2000). Camphor hepatotoxicity. South Med J.
• Green BG (1990). Sensory characteristics of camphor. J Invest Dermatol.
• Kumar S et al. (2019). Kerosene, Camphor, and Naphthalene Poisoning in Children. Indian J Crit Care Med.
• Love JN et al. (2004). Are one or two dangerous? Camphor exposure in toddlers. J Emerg Med.

🧴 Products Containing CAMPHOR

• Speick Rasierseife
• hhh
• Lacura Fußbalsam – Oliven- & Rosmarinöl
• Seba Med Seifenfreies Waschstück
• Nivea Dry Comfort
• Gehwol, Gehwol med Fußbad
• ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
• Bi-Oil Bi-Oil Körperöl, 125 ml
• Crema de masajes
• Carmex Carmex minis
• Algabo Foot Polvo desodorante para pies
• rayito de sol
• Léa Nature So’bio Étic Baume Respiratoire Bio Spécial Enfant
• Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Day Cream
• Blistex Medicated lip balm
• proraso sapone tutte le barbe
• ELEMIS Travel Size Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
• Istituto Elvetico Sanders Rigenexyl plus
• Phytofrance Baume magique
• Auchan, Ecologique Bain de bouche bio
• Pouce Eau de cologne parfum lavande
• Instituto Español Loción corporal Arnica Piernas Cansadas
• facial suncare wes
• Anadia Profesional Gel reafirmante hipotérmico
• Yesensy Yssy
• Y.S.S.Y, Yesensy Vernis à ongles
• S3 L’eau de cologne
• Farline Spray transparente spf 50
• Mirato Breeze Classico 67
• Deliplus Aqua
• green idea green idea Tiger Salbe Bio
• Lynx Excite
• l-oreal, l-oreal-consumer-products, garnier ambre solaire sensitive expert+ (50+)
• Blistex MedPlus Lippenbalsem Stick
• Mixa solaire Protection Enfant 1ères Sorties Au Soleil Spf50+
• K P NAMBOODIRI’S Toothpaste
• Blistex regular lip balm
• covergirl CG cheekers blush
• Sally Hansen Complete Care 7-in-1 Nail Treatment
• Carmex Classic Lip Balm