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Evernia Prunastri Extract in skincare
Oak Moss extract; among the most potent fragrance allergens. EU-mandated allergen disclosure; cornerstone of classic perfumery.
Found in both AM and PM high-end perfumes and scented products, particularly chypre and fougere fragrance families. PM leave-on products carry higher sensitization risk. One of the strongest sensitizers among the EU 26 mandatory fragrance allergens.
What it is
Evernia Prunastri Extract (Oak Moss) is an extract from the lichen Evernia prunastri, a cornerstone ingredient in classic perfumery providing a rich, earthy, woody, damp-forest scent essential to chypre and fougere fragrance families. One of the 26 fragrance allergens requiring mandatory individual declaration under EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex III if present above 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products. Among the most potent fragrance sensitizers. Sensitization rate ~2–6% in dermatology patch-tested populations. Contains atranol and chloroatranol as primary sensitizing compounds. EU SCCS recommends limiting atranol and chloroatranol to undetectable levels (<2 ppm). The perfume industry has developed 'atranol-free' oak moss extracts to reduce allergenicity while preserving the olfactory character.
The facts
| Category | Fragrance Allergen (Lichen Extract) |
| Typical use | Morning and evening |
| Concentration YARAI treats as a full dose | 1% |
| EU Cosmetics Regulation annex | III |
| EU status | restricted |
Why the amount matters, not just the presence
Most ingredient checkers tell you whether something is in the bottle. That is a smaller question than it sounds. Evernia Prunastri Extract at 1% and evernia prunastri extract at a trace level are not the same ingredient in any way that affects your skin.
An ingredient list is ordered by quantity, so position carries real information. YARAI reads that position and scores accordingly, which is why the same ingredient can land differently in two different products.
The honest limit: a list gives order, not percentages. Estimating concentration from position is an estimate. It is a better estimate than ignoring position, and it is still an estimate. We would rather tell you that than let a number look more certain than it is.
Regulatory status
EU CosIng Annex III restricted substance.
Common questions
What does evernia prunastri extract do in a skincare product?
Oak Moss extract; among the most potent fragrance allergens. EU-mandated allergen disclosure; cornerstone of classic perfumery.
How much evernia prunastri extract should a product contain?
YARAI treats 1% as a full dose for this ingredient. Below that, the ingredient is present but is scored as contributing less. An ingredient list gives you the order of ingredients, not their percentages, so this is an estimate read from position rather than a measurement.
When should I use evernia prunastri extract?
Found in both AM and PM high-end perfumes and scented products, particularly chypre and fougere fragrance families. PM leave-on products carry higher sensitization risk. One of the strongest sensitizers among the EU 26 mandatory fragrance allergens.
Check your own products
Point your camera at a product. YARAI identifies it from the label, finds that product's full ingredient list from published sources, and scores it. No barcode and no box needed, which is how it handles imported and small-brand products.
Concern level, category and thresholds on this page are read directly from the same data the YARAI app scores with, so this page and the app cannot disagree. EU figures cite Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Last built 2026-09-09. Nothing here is medical advice.