The Benefits of Terpenes in Skincare Products

The skincare industry has long relied on botanical extracts and essential oils for their functional and aromatic properties. Terpenes — the active aromatic compounds within these botanicals — are now being incorporated directly into formulations, offering greater precision and consistency than whole-plant extracts.

Limonene is one of the most widely used terpenes in skincare. Its bright citrus character makes it a popular fragrance ingredient, and it has demonstrated antioxidant properties in research settings. It is found naturally in citrus peel oils and is a common component of cleansers, toners, and serums.

Linalool, the primary terpene in lavender, is valued for its calming, floral scent and its studied skin-soothing properties. It is a natural fit for sleep-focused skincare, sensitive skin formulations, and products targeting redness or irritation.

Bisabolol — technically a sesquiterpene alcohol — is widely recognised in dermatology for its skin-calming and healing properties. It is a key ingredient in many post-procedure and sensitive skin products, and pairs well with other soothing actives like niacinamide and centella asiatica.

Beta-Caryophyllene is attracting growing interest in skincare for its interaction with CB2 receptors in the skin, which may contribute to anti-inflammatory effects. It is a natural component of black pepper, cloves, and copaiba, and is increasingly featured in CBD-adjacent skincare lines.

AOHA Limited can supply individual terpenes or bespoke blends for skincare applications. Our GMP food-grade terpenes are suitable for use in leave-on and rinse-off formulations, and our team can advise on usage rates, stability, and regulatory considerations under UK cosmetics regulations.