A BOTANICAL PROFILE

GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS

Cistus (Rock Rose)

Cistus ladaniferus L.

Chemotype: alpha-pinene / bornyl acetate type

strongspicybalsamicresinous
PLANT PART
leaves and stalks
EXTRACTION
steam distillation
AROMA NOTE
base

Compare with another oilCheck supplier bottlesFind more oils

LEARN AS YOU COMPARE

What’s inside this oil?

Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.

I’m interested in

Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.

Finding the matching oil reports…

FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.

strongspicybalsamicresinous
Aroma intensity
80 / 100
Soft & subtleBold & expressive
Note layer
base

If you like this scent, explore

Bay Rum Leaf Myrrh Essential Oil Black Pepper Black Spruce Essential Oil Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum verum, bark) Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum verum, bark)

A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY

Using it thoughtfully

Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.

Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
19.5%
Phototoxicity
Not flagged in this profile
Oxidation risk
medium

A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.

No furocoumarin-related phototoxic restriction was identified in the public sources reviewed for Cistus ladaniferus essential oil.

Read the complete safety guide
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches

A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT

Inside the oil

7 constituents

An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.

About this composition

This Spain-origin rock rose oil is strongly monoterpene-led, with alpha-pinene as the dominant constituent and a notable bornyl acetate fraction, supported by smaller camphene, p-cymene, limonene, viridiflorene, and gamma-terpinene components. The same botanical has a public IFRA 51 certificate with a 19.5% category 5B limit, which is the best directly readable public leave-on safety ceiling located in this pass.

ConstituentTypical amountReported rangeChemical familySource
alpha-Pinene
42.39%
42.39–42.39%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Cistus Essential Oil Lot# SPN10-NT Country: Spain

https://av-at.com/content/GC/Cistus%20EO%20SPN10-NT.pdf (alpha-pinene 42.39%)
Bornyl acetate
9.96%
9.96–9.96%monoterpene ester
View source

Cistus Essential Oil Lot# SPN10-NT Country: Spain

https://av-at.com/content/GC/Cistus%20EO%20SPN10-NT.pdf (bornyl acetate 9.96%)
Camphene
6.87%
6.87–6.87%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Cistus Essential Oil Lot# SPN10-NT Country: Spain

https://av-at.com/content/GC/Cistus%20EO%20SPN10-NT.pdf (camphene 6.87%)
p-Cymene
5.36%
5.36–5.36%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Cistus Essential Oil Lot# SPN10-NT Country: Spain

https://av-at.com/content/GC/Cistus%20EO%20SPN10-NT.pdf (p-cymene 5.36%)
Limonene
2.8%
2.8–2.8%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Cistus Essential Oil Lot# SPN10-NT Country: Spain

https://av-at.com/content/GC/Cistus%20EO%20SPN10-NT.pdf (limonene 2.80%)
Viridiflorene
2.45%
2.45–2.45%sesquiterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Cistus Essential Oil Lot# SPN10-NT Country: Spain

https://av-at.com/content/GC/Cistus%20EO%20SPN10-NT.pdf (viridiflorene/ledene 2.45%)
gamma-Terpinene
2.27%
2.27–2.27%monoterpene hydrocarbon
View source

Cistus Essential Oil Lot# SPN10-NT Country: Spain

https://av-at.com/content/GC/Cistus%20EO%20SPN10-NT.pdf (gamma-terpinene 2.27%)

Profile source: Cistus Essential Oil Lot# SPN10-NT Country: Spain; Cistus product page; IFRA 51 Conformity Certificate Organic Cistus Essential Oil · https://av-at.com/content/GC/Cistus%20EO%20SPN10-NT.pdf ; https://av-at.com/cistus/ (Origin Spain; Part Used Leaves/Stalk; Distillation Method Steam Distilled; Aroma strong, spicy); https://www.nhrorganicoils.com/uploads/20260105123617e_Cistus_IFRA_51.pdf (IFRA Category 5B 19.5% for Cistus ladaniferus)

A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY

Traditional & reported uses

These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.

  • traditionally used in aromatherapy for grounding, meditative, and calming blends
  • reported to support emotional steadiness during times of stress
  • used in perfumery as an ambery, leathery-sweet base note and fixative
  • traditionally associated with skin-soothing rituals in folk skincare
  • used in blends intended to ease occasional tension and support restful breathing
Explore related intentionsSleep & Rest ↗Relaxation & Calming ↗Stress Relief ↗

For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.

What we're still learning · 1 data gaps

Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.

  • No public source located in this pass gave directly measured volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values for this rock rose oil.